Opinions on this superimposed lock musket

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
Oct 8, 2019
Messages
443
Reaction score
493
Location
Covington, VA
I would like some feedback on this odd, probably early musket. I'm assuming it is Spanish. Has a nice early superimposed Spanish Miquelet lock. Early style serpent trade gun sideplate. Early style trigger guard. Spanish style stock with the curved down butt similar to the Escopeda. Damascus barrel with silver overlay in the Ottoman style? Was this a captured piece or did the Spanish make barrels in the same way? I'm thinking this is second half of the 17th century. At least parts are. I'm wondering what you all think about it though. It's stuck in England because overseas shipping has become fun due to the Ukraine war so if i find out nothing but the lock is old I will ask my friend who is keeping it for me to send me the lock and sell the parts. The orange background are the auction photos. The others my friend sent me. I can ask for others if needed.
 

Attachments

  • miquelet.jpg
    miquelet.jpg
    33.7 KB
  • miquelet butt.jpeg
    miquelet butt.jpeg
    229.6 KB
  • miquelet butt2.jpeg
    miquelet butt2.jpeg
    277.4 KB
  • miquelet barrel.jpeg
    miquelet barrel.jpeg
    273.2 KB
  • miquelet barrel2.jpeg
    miquelet barrel2.jpeg
    419.9 KB
  • butt plate.jpeg
    butt plate.jpeg
    324.4 KB
  • miquelet sideplate.jpeg
    miquelet sideplate.jpeg
    309.2 KB
  • miquelet trigger guard.jpeg
    miquelet trigger guard.jpeg
    253 KB
  • miquelet lock.jpeg
    miquelet lock.jpeg
    515.2 KB
  • miquelet side .jpg
    miquelet side .jpg
    78.1 KB
England won’t ship/export arms to the US.

Terms - The correct term for the ignition type is ‘superposed’ and the Spanish influence arm would be an ‘Escopeta’.

Lock - Brescian gunsmiths also made Miquelet locks as good ‘smiths often went or were in demand to the highest paying source.

Stock - It appears to have some traits of a Catalan stock, what with a squared toe area.

Origin - No idea, but would surmise that such a lock originating out of northern Italy was far more likely to enter the Middle Eastern region or realm that this was likely built under, but then again with the stock design … oiy … no idea!
 
Last edited:
Ignition - The correct term is ‘superposed’.

Lock - Brescian gunsmiths also made Miquelet locks as good ‘smiths often went or were in demand to the highest paying source.

Stock - It has some traits of a Catalan stock, what with a squared toe area.

Origin - No idea, but would surmise that such a lock originating out of northern Italy was far more likely to enter the Middle Eastern region or realm that this was likely built under, but then with the stock … oiy … no idea!
The lock very well could be Italian made in the Catalan style. The musket came out of an auction in Portugal. One of the most intriguing things about this musket is that serpent side plate. I'm wondering if this is an early Spanish trade gun for their colonies in the south western US today. Finding a late 1600s trade gun would be insane.
 
Ottoman barrels were famous for the work put into them, I’ve seen ottoman barrels stocked in the European style.
 
Back
Top