Caucasian Miquelet "Cossack" Pistol & Locks

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Rudyard, is that a Phillips head screw on that matchlock?!?!
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
Rudyard, is that a Phillips head screw on that matchlock?!?!
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
5BF70FCA-473C-4CA2-A3B2-48F096CC4D5D.jpeg


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.
DA34D52B-5864-4091-AF06-DC6D80B5D8FB.jpeg

0B77B075-9546-46B9-89A2-717C526EF6C5.jpeg

Notice that the side plate has a slot for a vent pick
24259255-17BF-40E8-AB4F-6EA663856B09.jpeg


A73C74DC-7E0D-494B-9748-78F49A15A58F.jpeg
 
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
At the risk of asking a stupid question, do these locks have a separate frizzen spring or does the main spring do double duty?
 
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
 
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.
 
Does that mean that he won’t be able to ship them out of Turkey?
Thank you guys, yes I do make Circassian type rifles and pistols from time to time. In fact I shared the last pistol today. I can send it to the USA (as far as I know it is the only country that reaches it without any problems). However, I send it disassembled in two or three pieces (This is necessary to be able to get it out of my country, and it also reaches the recipient without any problems).
 
Hello Peserey

WOW !!! What a great job replicating a Circassian style pistol. Even the leather covered stock. The lock looks perfect. And the leather thumb piece, a nice addition. Just very nice job.
I've often wondered what the original purpose was for covering the wood stocks on some of these pistols with leather ? In the past I've handled a couple of these original pistols that still had their leather covering intact. They do make a very positive grip while aiming the pistol. Maybe that was it's primary purpose (?) It's certainly unique and decorative.
I wish I had known about you Turkish and Bulgarian craftsmen about 10 years ago. LOL
Stylistically, original Caucasian/Circassian guns are unique and light weight. They have always brought a premium at auctions.

Again, wonderful job. What material did you use for the ball-butt ?

Rick
 
Hello Peserey

WOW !!! What a great job replicating a Circassian style pistol. Even the leather covered stock. The lock looks perfect. And the leather thumb piece, a nice addition. Just very nice job.
I've often wondered what the original purpose was for covering the wood stocks on some of these pistols with leather ? In the past I've handled a couple of these original pistols that still had their leather covering intact. They do make a very positive grip while aiming the pistol. Maybe that was it's primary purpose (?) It's certainly unique and decorative.
I wish I had known about you Turkish and Bulgarian craftsmen about 10 years ago. LOL
Stylistically, original Caucasian/Circassian guns are unique and light weight. They have always brought a premium at auctions.

Again, wonderful job. What material did you use for the ball-butt ?

Rick
Hello Rick, thank you very much.
Unfortunately, there is no clear information about why it is covered with leather. If there is, I haven't found it yet. However, as you said, it may be a method used to facilitate grip and protect the wood.
And I used maple for the ball-butt.

Regards
 
Thank you guys, yes I do make Circassian type rifles and pistols from time to time. In fact I shared the last pistol today. I can send it to the USA (as far as I know it is the only country that reaches it without any problems). However, I send it disassembled in two or three pieces (This is necessary to be able to get it out of my country, and it also reaches the recipient without any problems).
Are you able to ship rifled barrels or only smoothbores? Importing into the US, I do not think it matters, but I assume other countries probably do not allow them.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top