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Item:
ON10105

Original Greek or Caucasian Miquelet Lock Jezail Musket with Steel Stock and Engraved Brass c.1800-20

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. 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.

Offered here is a most attractive and relatively unusual Miquelet Lock Jezail Musket.  Often used by the Mountain Bandits of the Balkans, these Miquelet Jezail Muskets were used all over the Greek peninsula and across the Middle East. This example is particularly nice in that it is fully complete, retaining all its original mother of pearl inlay together with engraved brass decoration. These are all set over or into the stock, which as far as we can tell, is made completely of steel/iron. The Miquelet lock is fashioned after the Spanish Miquelet lock of the late 17th and early 18th Centuries.

Measuring 66" in overall length, the barrel alone is 52" long. Complete with its original all steel ramrod this really is a truly excellent example of this very unusual weapon that plagued European travelers who ventured into that region of the Ottoman Empire.

In all a very romantic long gun that were said be be very accurate despite being smooth bore. Even the Migulet lock mechanism works well, but this item is for DISPLAY ONLY and should not be fired.

Truly impressive and a great Display piece, probably 200 years old. Fully cleaned and ready to hang on the wall.

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.

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.

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1800-20
Caliber: approx .63 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 52 inches
Overall Length: 66 inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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