Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally decorative late 18th century Ottoman Balkan kubur flintlock horse pistol, circa 1790, made in the regional Balkan tradition while incorporating the French style internal spring flintlock mechanism then increasingly encountered on Ottoman arms. Measuring approximately 19 1/2" overall, it combines a 12 1/4" tapered smoothbore barrel of approximately .60 caliber with an extensively carved and silver wire inlaid stock, elaborate embossed nickel silver type furniture, a dramatic long eared butt cap, and richly decorated muzzle cladding. The combination of European influenced lock architecture and unmistakably Ottoman Balkan ornament makes this a particularly striking example of the period.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Turkish term kubur was widely used throughout the Balkans for large cavalry or holster pistols, and richly ornamented examples were produced in important regional gunmaking centers from the 18th into the 19th century. Surviving museum pieces from Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Kosovo, and other Ottoman Balkan regions frequently combine long barrels, flared or heavily mounted grips, silver or German silver furniture, wire inlay, and Western European style flintlocks. This pistol fits comfortably within that broad decorative tradition.

The pistol measures approximately:

19 1/2" overall
12 1/4" barrel
Approximately .60" bore

The smoothbore barrel is faceted around the breech before transitioning to a round forward section, tapering toward a slightly flared muzzle. Much of the upper barrel is decorated with raised or embossed motifs, portions of which retain gold highlighting. Some of the decoration has a script-like appearance, but we have not been able to identify it confidently as Arabic, Ottoman Turkish, or another inscription, so we would describe it simply as ornamental relief unless further study establishes that it is actually writing.

The stock is one of the strongest visual features of the pistol and is extensively carved around the grip, barrel tang, underside of the fore stock, lock, side plate, and other fittings. Fine silver wire inlay decorates the grip and areas around the lock, while a pierced and heavily embossed white metal escutcheon at the rear of the grip carries floral ornament. The stock remains visually very strong, although there is cracking and evidence of old repairs on the left side near the trigger area, together with additional cracking around the rear of the lock and side plate.

The furniture is particularly elaborate. The long eared butt cap is heavily raised and embossed, with a central silver colored rosette projecting approximately 5/8" above the surrounding surface. Its somewhat squared profile gives the grip a particularly substantial appearance. The forward end of the stock and barrel is likewise covered by extensively embossed nickel silver type cladding, while the remaining fittings continue the same richly decorated Ottoman Balkan aesthetic.

The apparent ramrod beneath the barrel is an unusual feature. Its exposed forward portion is incorporated visually into the embossed muzzle furniture and fits into an actual iron ramrod pipe beneath the stock. It does not appear to function as a conventional full length loading rod in its present form. Whether this was intended from manufacture as a decorative or abbreviated ramrod arrangement, or represents a later alteration, is uncertain. We therefore would not state definitively that the original working ramrod was always carried separately without additional evidence.

The flintlock itself is comparatively restrained when set against the highly decorated stock and furniture. It has simple line engraving around the lock plate, a swan neck style cock, and a bridled frizzen, all features consistent with the French style internal spring flintlock mechanism that became increasingly common on Balkan kubur pistols during the late 18th and 19th centuries. The action remains mechanically responsive during careful manual inspection. The mainspring is quite strong and the lock will release from full cock, but it does not hold securely at half cock. This is an important mechanical deficiency and is fully disclosed.

The white metal furniture has developed an attractive warm silver tone with darker oxidation in the recesses of the embossed decoration, which helps emphasize the relief work. The iron barrel and lock show a mixed gray and brown patina with scattered oxidation, peppering, and staining consistent with considerable age. Despite the stock cracks and repairs noted above, the pistol retains an impressive amount of its original decorative character.

With its imposing 19 1/2" overall length, approximately .60 caliber smoothbore barrel, extensive carving and silver wire inlay, richly embossed nickel silver type furniture, projecting rosette butt cap, Western European influenced flintlock, and unmistakable Ottoman Balkan styling, this is an especially decorative example of the kubur horse pistol tradition. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of Ottoman arms, Balkan firearms, Islamic weapons, early cavalry pistols, or highly ornamented 18th century flintlocks.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1790
Caliber: .60" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 12 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 19 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

The Kubur was a type of muzzleloading pistol produced and used throughout the Ottoman Empire. It is a general term, referring to a common form of holster pistol, though more specific types were often named for their region of manufacture or distinctive design features.

Design and features
Kubur pistols share a common overall form but exhibit significant regional variation in decoration, lock type, and stock design.

Action: The most common lock mechanism was the robust Miquelet lock, prized for its reliability. However, examples with conventional flintlock mechanisms and later percussion locks are also frequently encountered.
Stock: Stocks were typically made from walnut or other hardwoods and could be either partially or fully covered in metal, most often silver or brass, which was often intricately engraved or chiseled.
Barrel: Barrels were usually long, smoothbore imported from Italy, Germany, France but some were locally made.

Regional and typological variations
While "Kubur" serves as a general term, more specific names were often applied to denote a pistol's purported origin or distinctive style.

Regionally Named Types: Many pistols were named after the towns or regions they were associated with. Examples include the Skadarke (from Shkodër, modern Albania), the Pećanka (from Peć, modern Kosovo) etc.

Design-Based Types: Some varieties were named for their aesthetic characteristics. The Ledenica (meaning "icicle"), for instance, was a type stocked entirely in silver. Another distinct type, characterized by a "rat-tail" butt and a stock made of engraved brass, is primarily attributed to gunsmiths in central Albania, particularly the city of Elbasan.

Use
The Kubur was a ubiquitous sidearm across the Ottoman Empire for centuries carried by military officers, cavalrymen, militias, and civilians for personal protection. They were carried on horseback or on foot in holsters such as the multi-compartment Silahlik belts, purpose-made paired holsters known as kuburluk, single gun holsters, or sometimes stuffed into a sash. As a valuable personal item, it was often highly decorated, serving as a status symbol as well as a weapon.

By 1883, a flintlock/miquelet Kubur in Serbia cost 4 dinars, percussion pistols were 8-24 dinars, while revolvers cost 27-72 dinars. For comparison, a well-fed pig at that time was worth 24 dinars, while a teacher's monthly salary was 108 dinars.

Kubura Pećanka were carried by some of the leaders within Green Cadres during world war one although this was mostly symbolic.

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.