Original Item: One of a Kind. The Jezail (sometimes Jezzail from the Arabic) is a simple, cost-efficient and typically handmade muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in the Middle East region in the past. These were all highly personalized, so no two were alike. They were often made with locally available locks, so it was common to see locks on these that were of varied origin. This example is all locally made, and probably originates from the North African region, anywhere from Morocco in the West to Saudi Arabia in the East. It features a somewhat primitive but attractive snaphaunce style lock.

King Philip III of Spain signed an EDICT OF EXPULSION in 1609 to purge the nation of over half a million "Moors" who had arrived in Spain over the previous 500 years. These unfortunates were compelled to return to their ancestor's lands in North Africa. When leaving they took many "Western Skills" learned in Spain with them. Gunmaking was one such skill and a contingent of Muslim Gunsmiths set up in the City of Tetuan in what we now call Morocco.

They continued to make the latest style of firearms then dominant in Spain which was the SNAPHAUNCE system, a forerunner of the traditional FLINTLOCK soon to be introduced in France. These Arab made long guns intended for use from the saddle of a Camel were smooth bored but surprisingly accurate and production of the same ignition system continued for over 200 years and more even through the late Victorian era.

Like most we see, this example is definitely NOT suitable for shooting, only for display, as they were not made to very high standards initially. Probably around 200 years old, this Snaphaunce action Jezail musket was exactly what the North African Arabs used while riding a Camel. Remember the Movie "BEAU GESTE"? Modeled after those Spanish 17th Century examples, these were made up until almost the end of the Victorian era and most of those encountered returned with Colonial Soldiers returning from overseas assignments.

This ornate example features lovely fittings made from a mixture of sheet nickel silver and camel bone. It has a wooden stock, attached to the barrel with numerous sheet metal bands, and is very thin in that area, worn down to the barrel on the sides in some areas. It is more substantial in the action and butt stock areas, but still relatively thin, showing past cracks and repairs. It features many attached studs made from brass and other materials, and there are some camel bone inlands on the left side, as well as under the trigger guard. The butt stock is completely layered camel bone for the last 4 inches. Really a lot of work went into this!

The barrel is 47 1/2 inches in length, with a bore around .52", which is swamped at the muzzle so the interior bore is probably smaller. It measures an impressive 63 3/4 inches in overall length. The snaphaunce lock is quite large, with many of the parts oversized, which definitely helped in the durability department. The hammer still moves and the mainspring is present, however the external sear does not engage at all, and also does not look to be linked to the trigger anymore. The pan cover is present, but frozen, and the striker still moves correctly.

A lovely example of the typical Arab Snaphaunce Jezai from North Africa. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1800
Caliber: approx .52 inches at muzzle - swamped
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 47 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 63 3/4 inches
Action: Snaphaunce Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

History of the Snaphaunce Lock:

A snaphance or snaphaunce is a type of lock for firing a gun or is a gun using that mechanism. The name is Dutch in origin but the mechanism can not be attributed to the Netherlands with certainty. It is the mechanical progression of the wheellock firing mechanism, and along with the miquelet lock and doglock are predecessors of the flintlock mechanism. It fires from a flint struck against a striker plate above a steel pan to ignite the priming powder which fires the gun. It has a separate cover for the flash pan, unlike the flintlock, which combines the striker and pan cover into a single piece, known as the frizzen. Examples of this firearm can be found through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

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.

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.