Here's a buddies gun???

[Swamp Rat]

Don't have a lot of info, hope I can get these pics to work. It's right at 40 cal has some bone/antler/ivory/something inlays, flint lock. Been in his family as long as he can remember. Their from LA (Cajun), so is it from that area or is it foreign made. Any info would be appreciated. http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SwampRat1070/slideshow/Old muzzleloader
let me know if that link does not work.

 

[Swamp Rat]

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[Wes/Tex]

Looks like one of the old snaphance trade guns that were often Dutch in origin and traded in North Africa. You might try to find any stampings on the lock. Most anything stamped on the rest of the gun will probably be extraneous, however. Some were quite long and are now called 'camel guns', mostly because of the erroneous belief that their length allowed the Arabs to rest the butt the ground when reloading from a camel's back. Some of these old locks date from the early 18th century or late 17th century, only close examination of the lock will allow that determination.

 

[Billnpatti]

I Agree with Wes/Tex on his identification of your rifle. I don't know where it was made but most of those guns were used in India and North Africa.

 

[Swamp Rat]

Thanks guys so more than likely he is just pulling my leg with the in his family comment. Looked up the info on the lock (snaphance) and sure enough that is it. With the trigger guard definatly looks north African.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Thanks guys so more than likely he is just pulling my leg with the in his family comment.

Not necessarily though. The gun may have been in his family a couple generations or more since it's probably been a century or more since the type was replaced by French, German or English percussion trade guns. The snaphance, actually meaning 'snapping hen' lock type has been around close to 400 years.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I saw the photo and actually thought Viva España, and if they are from Louisiana, then that might fit.

LD

 

[Wes/Tex]

I saw the photo and actually thought Viva España, and if they are from Louisiana, then that might fit. LD

I would think something of Spanish origin would have a migulet type lock rather than a snaphance. The Spanish were really taken with the migulet, to the point they went back to it after nearly 50 years with the m.1852 musket in service.

 

[rickystl]

Hi Swamp Rat! The long gun in your photo is actually a Moroccan Snaphaunce musket. The snaphaunce lock is typical to the style and region.
Believe it or not, these guns were used in that region, virtually unchanged up till the late 19th Century. The French occupation of Morocco did not allow the locals the use of modern (for the period) arms. The gun could have been made anywhere from the late 18th to the late 19th Centuries.
If you can provide some additional photos, especially of the lock to the butt stock area, I can pinpoint a more exact location of manufacture. Rick. :hatsoff:

 

[robinghewitt]

If you do extra pics can you get something else in the frame so we get the scale? I'm guessing that lock is 8 1/2" long?

 

[Swamp Rat]

The link in the first post shows more views you can zoom it pics twice to get real good look of it.

barrel is 40" long and over all 53"

 

[arilar]

I would say Moroccan snaphaunce from Taroudant region or Oued Sous valley. Has the right "srir" (stock) and "ouraya" (butt plate). The "ecceba" (stockwrist) looks also right. Just my 2c. Do you agree Ricky? :thumbsup:

 

[rickystl]

Hi Arilar. YES! I agree with your assessment.
The slight curve of the butt stock and wrist area identifies this as a Qued Sous Valley piece.
The snaphaunce lock on this piece is of the English prototype. You will also find these long guns with the Anglo-Dutch style locks.
Here is an example of each style of lock, English and Dutch, just for comparison:

 

[Swamp Rat]

well that is pretty good getting down to a valley, I would say. :thumbsup:

 

[dbutch]

Nice piece!...Great post! :thumbsup:....into my favorites it goes!

 

[BillinOregon]

Good grief! The knowledge possessed by the folks on this forum never ceases to amaze!

 

[Swamp Rat]

I know what you mean. I bet if I dug up a roundball out the back yard we could find the maker. LOL.OK that might be pushing it a bit.