Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a charming Eastern European or West Asian Long Rifle from the Cuacusus Region / Black Sea area. It is fitted with a MIQUELET lock, a predecessor / alternative to the standard flint lock design in use throughout most of Europe. These were popular in the Middle East and Western Asia regions, long after they had been abandoned elsewhere. The lock on this shows a gold makers touchmark on the side, which looks to be in Arabic script.
Measuring about 50 inches overall, the barrel is 38 1/2 inches long, with a "cannon" flared muzzle. Most interestingly, it is RIFLED with 8 grooves and a gentle twist. This is definitely not what we were expecting, as almost all that we have seen have always been smooth bore. The rifle is quite low profile overall, which keeps the weight down. It is fitted with the characteristic Caucasian area "ball trigger", and looks to have had 3 barrel bands at one point, only one of which remains. We checked the lock, and it actually is fully functional, though we do recommend using it with care, as they are not nearly as durable as the later flintlock designs.
The stock is lovely, showing lovely "tiger" flame figuring from muzzle to butt. It looks like there was at one point some type of nose cap, but that is now missing. it also has a slot with a piece of leather in it, though we cannot tell if this is for some type of sling, or to attach the barrel to the stock. The butt of the gun bears a substantial 1 1/8 inch thick MARINE IVORY butt cap, which has a lovely matured yellow color.
A rare and very interesting gun, especially with the rifled barrel! Ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: Circa 1800
Bore Diameter: .59"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 38 inches
Overall Length: 50 inches
Action: Flintlock Miquelet
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
History of the Miquelet Lock:
Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in the English-speaking world, for a type of firing mechanism used in muskets and pistols. It is a distinctive form of snaplock, originally as a flint-against-steel ignition form, once prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, Ottoman Empire and throughout Spain's colonies from the late 16th to the mid 19th centuries. Later they were seen in percussion form, either as originally produced, or converted.
The term miquelet lock was not recorded until the 19th century, long after the appearance of the mechanism in the 16th century, and is of uncertain origin. One commonly held view is that it was coined by British troops in the Peninsular War to describe the style of musket used by the Miquelet (militia) that had been assigned to the Peninsular Army of the Duke of Wellington.
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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