Original Item: Only One Available. The Jezail (sometimes Jezzail from the Arabic / Pashto جزایل, for "long [barrels]") 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 Flintlock 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 particular example is from the North-West Frontier region of the British Indian Empire. This area, present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is s mountainous region was on the border between the Indian regions and what today is Afghanistan, and home to the famous Khyber pass through the mountains. There were many skilled artisans in this area, who later in the 19th century would produce many replicated British weapons, based on examples captured from British forces.

This jezail actually features a genuine British East India Company lock from Brown Bess, which is rare in its own right. The lock is marked with MORTIMER under the flash pan, with the East India Company Heart Logo on the lock plate tail under a date of 1797. In DAVID HARDING'S wonderful work SMALL ARMS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY, 1600 - 1856 Volume TWO on page 459 it states that MORTIMER made Brown Bess Muskets for the E.I.C. in 1797, 1798 and 1799. Very possibly at other times also, but these dates are specifically mentioned.

Like many jezails of the area, the stock and barrel are clad with sheet metal, in this case brass, covering more than 50% of the wooden stock. These are lightly embossed and definitely completely handmade without the assistance of any type of "modern" fixtures. The butt stock has many small brass ornaments, and has a thick horn butt pad on the end. There are two hand made sling swivels, one made from brass and one from steel. It also features a type of "pillow" safety that would be inserted in front of the hammer, which is attached to the lower sling swivel.

The Jezail measures 60" in overall length, and the barrel alone is 47" long. It still has a ramrod, though it is frozen in the stock, or possibly just for decoration. There are not any markings on the gun aside from those on the lock. The barrel has a very interesting pattern on the exterior, which we originally thought may be hand-tooling, but it looks more likely that it is a crucible steel barrel, made of something similar to "Damascus" steel.

In all a very romantic long gun that were said be be very accurate despite being smooth bore. The lock is still functional, however it the tumbler is worn and does not hold at half cock. This item is for DISPLAY ONLY and should not be fired.

Truly impressive and a great Display piece, probably 180+ years old, with a lock that is even older. Fully cleaned and ready to hang on the wall!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1820
Caliber: approx .55 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 47 inches
Overall Length: 60 inches
Action: Flintlock
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. 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.