Item:
ONSV1648

Original Ottoman Empire Miquelet Lock Bone Inlaid Shishana Rifle with Ball Trigger c.1760-80

Item Description

Original item: One of a kind. This is a great display piece! 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, with all the various inlays and artistry. 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 organised 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 Migulet Musket known as a "SHISHANA" dating probably the mid to late 18th century. It features a 41" Damascus barrel, that is decorated with the barrel smith's hammered turnings. It has embossed three SILVER  bands along its length. The wood stock has scattered horn or ivory embossed panels and the lock has engraving work on it including what looks like an early Armorer's mark. The butt end is classically "five sided" with inlaid intricate bone decorations.

The trigger itself is a small iron ball and this style of rifle never had a trigger guard. The Miquelet lock itself is small, one would think almost for a pistol, but this is absolutely correct. It is quite old, and unfortunately does not quite function correctly. A wood unadorned ramrod is also present.

This is a nice Ottoman "SHISHANA" gun dating from the 17th and early 18th Centuries. Overall length of 56" and Ready to display!

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 1760-1780
Caliber: approx .63 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 41 inches
Overall Length: 56 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 available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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