Caucasian Miquelet "Cossack" Pistol & Locks

I've seen the painting! But seeing the re-enactment is priceless!

Rudyard, is that a Phillips head screw on that matchlock?!?!

rickystl said:

Cossack fun....

View attachment 330217

Click to expand...

Well they' look the part' every ones looks squiffy, The greatest compliment you can pay a reenactor is "You look the part".
Rudyard,s notion

Sam squanch said:

Rudyard, is that a Phillips head screw on that matchlock?!?!

Click to expand...

Bit too unclear to see any screw head don t see a matchlock even ,I do see unusuall lock it the one clear view .... Cheers Rudyard

Sam squanch said:

Rudyard, is that a Phillips head screw on that matchlock?!?!

Click to expand...

Yes the Matchlock its a phillips it wasnt so much' built' but knocked up in disgusting haste
heavy brute utterly unwieldy affair but it begged " make me " So I had to oblige (?) Good spotting So far I made one shot from it.
Regards Rudyard

Recently picked this priming flask up at auction. As Rick mentioned earlier, some people classify these as Persian, and they might be, but they show up FAR more often than Persian guns. I’ve seen these all over the Caucasus and a bit in the Balkans, made from metal or ivory/bone

Strangely, there was one on display in Western Tajikistan, along with a Khirimi rifle. I believe these were used during the conquest of Central Asia “Turkestan Campaign” as it was called in Russian. Many many units that fought were from the Caucasus.


Notice that the side plate has a slot for a vent pick

rickystl said:

Hi Cyten

Thanks so much for posting these photos along with information on your visit. Wonder if this shop with restored pieces has a website offering their restored items for sale ? Very cool.

RickView attachment 104714

Click to expand...

At the risk of asking a stupid question, do these locks have a separate frizzen spring or does the main spring do double duty?

MrTwelvette said:

At the risk of asking a stupid question, do these locks have a separate frizzen spring or does the main spring do double duty?

Click to expand...

If you are talking about the Caucasian style miquelet locks, yes, they have a separate frizzen spring. The spring is just hidden behind what we call a fence.

Rick

A re run but eminently worth the running again .
Regards Rudyard

Hi Cyten

Nice find with that flask. Looks to be in good, complete condition. Yes, collectors generally "suspect" this style of flask has Persian origins. But, as you mention, the basic style/function of this flask seem to show up everywhere in the Region. And, as you mention, they all turn up made in all iron or horn with iron mounts. I've never seen one using brass. I have one in my collection very similar to yours. Most of this style show up in what we call priming flask size. But occasionally one turns up in medium size.

That's the first example of one of these Caucasian rifle's side plate with a cut-out for a vent pick. Interesting. Again, thanks for posting.

Rick

rickystl said:

I've never seen one using brass.

Click to expand...

I've seen only 2

OK. Now I've seen two also. LOL Thanks for the pics. Caucasian style weapon mounts typically show the use of iron, silver, horn, ivory/bone. The workmanship on their guns, blades, and accessories is usually top notch, and usually command a premium at auctions.