Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. The Miquelet (Migulet) Tanchika was the traditional muzzle loading long gun of the Balkans and Greece in the early to mid 1800s. The design also saw use across the Mediterranean in North Africa, where it could be found in this rare carbine form, complete with the typical body sling rings on the left side. It features a 24 inch long HEPTAGONAL (7 sided barrel), which has a .59" bore with seven groove rifling, something we rarely see on these. Overall length is 37 inches and this really is a fine example.
The carbine does have a wood stock, but it is almost completely covered with embossed sheet iron and brass , with only a small spot on the butt stock showing wood where the cladding had a piece break off. The barrel is secured by three embossed sheet brass barrel bands, which also hold a ramrod under the barrel, which we believe is just for display, and cannot be removed.
It features the classic miquelet flintlock action, which in this case is actually functional! It does have a somewhat weak mainspring, but it has both half and fully cocked positions. and holes the flint well. There are no maker marks we can see on the lock or barrel, but there is engraving visible on both.
The Migulet or Miquelet ignition system is a hangover from high quality Italian guns of the 17th and early 18th centuries. These are just the weapons carried by Brigands and Pirates of the Mediterranean Sea that caused so much trouble to the Europeans in the early 1800s. Most decorative, with an intriguing ignition system. Ready to display, absolutely original and genuine!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1800
Caliber: approx. .59"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Overall Length: 37 inches
Barrel Length: 24 inches
Action: Miquelet Flint 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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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.
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