Original item: One Only. This is a magnificent display piece, possibly the most highly decorated Shishana musket that we have ever seen! It is truly a work of art, as much as it is a weapon. A huge amount of time was put into producing this piece. In the 17th Century the Ottoman Empire really dominated the Middle East and became a real threat to Europe. In the 1680s they laid siege to Vienna, which certainly attracted the attention of all the Western European monarchies.

By the end of the 19th Century they controlled most of the Middle East and North Africa including Egypt and further west. They were sophisticated and well organized and came to grief only by taking sides with the Central Powers of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the First World War.

Here we offer a Classic, high quality Ottoman Miquelet Musket known as a "SHISHANA", dating probably the mid to late 18th century, and measuring a nice 54 inches in overall length. These are almost always highly decorated, but this one really takes the cake! It has a wooden stock, but it is entirely clad in embossed, filigreed, and otherwise decorated sheet silver. Only on the very sides of the barrel can any wood be seen. As this is a Shishana musket, it has the characteristic "five sided" butt stock, and the trigger is a small iron ball without a trigger guard. It also features a 39 1/2" smooth bore Damascus barrel, that has a bore around .66 inches in diameter, with a cannon shaped front. The top of the barrel is COVERED with silver inlay work, even underneath the embossed silver barrel bans, which can be slid back and forth somewhat.

The barrel is most likely held in place by several barrel wedges, and further secured by six embossed silver barrel bands. Interestingly. the left side of the musket actually has two rectangular sling swivels, which also look to be made from silver, and are definitely not magnetic. This Shishana has a fixed rear notch sight set onto the end of the barrel, with a small copper bead at the very front of the muzzle. The Miquelet lock is correct, and while not decorated, it does have some lovely engraving on the side, and what looks to be a maker mark underneath the flash pan. It is somewhat functional, but we do not recommend attempting to use it. These were considered obsolete long ago for a reason, and the wood under neath where the trigger pivots on is quite worn, so pulling the trigger may cause the pin to rip through the wood.

This magnificent example really is very well constructed and shows real quality. The amount of time it would take to make this is simply astounding, and this is by far the most ornate example we have ever had. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1780
Caliber: approx .66 inches at muzzle
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 54 inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
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.

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.

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 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.