Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Ottoman Empire miquelet lock rifled Shishana carbine dating to approximately 1800, distinguished by extensive brass and bone inlay, a short 36 1/2" overall length, a 24 1/2" octagonal rifled barrel with faux Damascus patterning, silver inlay, and the characteristic ball trigger and five sided butt stock. Despite substantial fore stock damage and missing decorative elements, it remains an unusually elaborate and visually striking example of Ottoman arms decoration.

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 Shishana was a highly decorated Ottoman miquelet arm, combining a distinctive lock system with richly ornamented stocks and metalwork. This example is notably compact at approximately 36 1/2" overall and appears to have been made in carbine length rather than shortened later, as the barrel shows a slight outward taper toward the muzzle and retains an integrated decorative and structural configuration consistent with its present length.

The figured wooden stock is extensively decorated with hundreds of small brass inlays in circular and geometric forms, many arranged into larger patterns. Bone inlays are also present on the butt and around the barrel tang area. A small bone patch box is fitted into the underside of the butt, and the trigger escutcheon is also bone.

The stock has the characteristic five sided butt form associated with Shishana arms. The trigger is a small iron ball without a surrounding trigger guard.

The octagonal barrel measures approximately 24 1/2" and has a bore of approximately .55 caliber with seven groove rifling. The exterior has a faux Damascus patterned finish and retains an inlaid silver band near the rear right portion of the barrel. Additional foliate silver inlay is present on the barrel tang.

The miquelet lock also shows silver line decoration, much of which has darkened to a blue toned tarnish and is now difficult to see clearly. The surviving barrel band is made from embossed sheet silver and shows old brazed repairs.

The fore stock has suffered substantial damage. The lower stock is split lengthwise over approximately the forward 12 1/2", and the right side of the fore stock is completely missing in that area. Additional wood loss extends rearward along the right side for approximately another 4". Evidence remains for a second barrel band and a barrel wedge, both now missing.

Numerous decorative inlays are also absent from the remainder of the stock. The empty inlets generally remain visible and intact, suggesting the pieces were lost over time rather than deliberately removed.

The lock appears complete externally, but the ball trigger moves freely and does not presently engage the sear. The cock still moves, but it was not tested at half cock or full cock in order to avoid forcing or damaging the mechanism. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire.

The original ramrod remains present and retains a clearing worm on its narrow end. Because of the fore stock damage, the original ramrod channel is no longer fully supported and the rod can now travel farther into the stock than intended.

A sling swivel remains on the left side of the stock near the lock screws. The forward sling swivel is missing and was likely associated with one of the missing forward fittings.

With its compact carbine length, miquelet lock, seven groove rifled barrel, faux Damascus patterning, silver inlay, extensive brass and bone stock decoration, five sided butt, ball trigger, bone patch box, and surviving original ramrod, this is a highly decorative Ottoman Shishana with strong display appeal. The extensive fore stock loss, longitudinal split, missing barrel band and wedge, numerous absent inlays, brazed barrel band repairs, nonfunctioning trigger engagement, missing forward sling swivel, and unsupported ramrod channel are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Ottoman arms, Islamic decorative weapons, miquelet lock, Middle Eastern firearms, or advanced antique arms collection.

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1800
Caliber: 0.55"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 24 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 36 1/2 inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.