Hi Vic
What a nice Moroccan musket. In this case, we see a basic un-decorated stock, with a decorated lock. We've also seen the reverse, as well as both decorated. Like everything else, I guess it would depend on how much money/trade the customer had or was willing to spend. Your musket is typically identified as Afedali. It is likely from the Taroudant region and the Oued Sous Valley. There is another slight variation from this same region which looks similar, but the wrist area is wider and the same style butt stock has a slight downward curve.
The snaphaunce lock on your musket looks to be locally made, and copies the original Dutch pattern. And the lock looks complete.
What's interesting is the lock, stock, and barrel all have a maker's type mark or inscription. While you often see a stamp/mark on the barrel and lock, it's less seen on the stock itself. In this case, it's all three. But it shouldn't be too surprising. Generally, these muskets represented three trades: Lock making, barrel making, and stock making (and final assembly and decorating, if any). While any translation of the marks/signatures would be useful, it's not likely they can be traced back to any particular gun shop. The locals just didn't keep those kind of written records. It's amazing the locals continued to make and use these muskets with their ancient locks well into the mid 19th century.
Note the photo Cyten posted above. With the exception of some wire decoration on the butt stock, the warrior's musket looks identical to Vic's.
A nice example Vic. Especially with the stock inscription.
Rick
