Moroccan Snaphaunce

[rickystl]

Now, here's something different. :grin: Just finished this project. Believe it or not, I've wanted one of these since I was 14 years old. 47 years later :haha: I now have one that is safe to shoot. Specs:
Gun: Moroccan Mukahla from the Tetuan (North Coastal) region of Morocco. Early-Mid 1800's.
Lock: Snaphaunce, in the Dutch style. Repair and tuning by Roy Stroh.
Stock: Hardwood. Walnut (I think?).
Barrel: 48". Fixed rear a blade front sight. Now a .55 caliber, new steel smooth bore liner by Bob Hoyt. Maker's mark near the breech.
I picked this specimen to make into a shooter since it is basically undecorated, with minor collector value. This should be a hoot to shoot!
The last photo includes Original Moroccan Powder Horn and small Priming Flask which I plan on using at the Range. Oh, and a Koummya Dagger with a signed blade, just for fun. OK - on with the comments!! :rotf: :rotf:

 

[smo]

:shocked2: :hmm: :idunno: :grin: :thumbsup:

If she loads from the front and makes smoke she's fine by me. :thumbsup:

 

Cool project. When is the camel coming to finish out the outfit?

Bill

 

[Mike Brooks]

If you and I ever meet in person I'll be wanting to shoot that. :thumbsup:

 

[wulf]

A collector AND a shooter...Hats off to you sir.
Bring that old stuff back to life for the experience of it is great....
Wulf

 

[Trench]

Wow! :hatsoff:

 

[rickystl]

Hi Bill. That's what my Brother keeps ribbing me about. :haha: Don't have a camel, but maybe I can borrow someone's goat and tie it to a nearby post while I shoot - just for effect. :rotf: Rick.

 

[rickystl]

Hi Mike. You are welcome to shoot any of the guns I own - including three you built! :haha:
It should be fun loading with original horn and priming flask. (Maybe I'm just possessed :youcrazy: ) Anything for "effect" :haha: Rick.

 

[rickystl]

Hi Wulf. There's always that extra ? you get shooting an original. When I bought the gun two barrel bands were missing, and the others were pretty beat up. So I made some new ones out of thin five thousanths sheet brass. The ramrod was too large in diameter and too short. So I made a new one. That huge Snaphaunce lock took some surgery. (Thank you Roy Stroh). But she sparks good now. Rick.

 

[Roy]

So thats what that lock was for... :haha: :thumbsup: Ya know I seriously have my doubts if that lock ever truly "worked" before :haha:

Now where's the smiley that is pulling out his hair?? :haha:

 

[rickystl]

Now Roy, be nice. :haha: I'll start talking about Indian made or canoe guns......you don't know what I'm capable of :rotf:
That'll teach you to take on any of Rick's repair jobs. :blah:
Seriously, I REALLY appreciate you fixing this lock. I know it was a real challenge. And I'm sure it gave you fits. You're right. I wonder how it ever worked to begin with? These locks made in that part of the World really had no hardening. They must have been in a constant state of repair? Thanks again for the fix! :hatsoff: Rick.

 

[Roy]

:thumbsup:

With no scratches on the face of the frizzen I doubt this one did :haha: :idunno:

 

[wattlebuster]

It would take a redneck like me 2 days to figure out how to shoot that :idunno: BUT its cool anyway :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[hoochiepapa]

I used to have all those accouterments that went with the Berber rifle I have, but some how they are gone. Garage sale? My wife?

 

[BillinOregon]

Ricky, your collecting and shooting instincts are wonderful. Please, please give us a Youtube when you get that dark-eyed beauty to the range!
Regarding the butt, is the grain in the two apparently added sections perpendicular to the grain in the rest of the stock? Could the wood be olive?
And last but not least, WHERE THE HECK TO YOU FIND THESE TREASURES?
:applause:

 

[rickystl]

Hi Bill. Thanks for your comments. Researchers and collectors believe there were two reasons for the butt stocks being made in sections. 1) The ability to carve the stock without the necessity of a WIDE single piece of wood to form the butt style. 2) The ability to make the LOP equal to the buyer's requirements. Sppeaking of LOP: One of the difficulties in shooting these guns will be the SHORT LOP. 12" is common with Middle Eastern longarms. 150 years ago people were generally of smaller stature. You will notice this even if you shoulder an American or European longarm from this period. People from the Middle East were likely even shorter in stature. Olive Wood? Could be? I don't know. I'm not too knowledgeable with wood identification. But I know who to contact to find out. Would be worth knowing. Youtube vidio? Hmmmm. I'm trying to finish some projects this winter so I can spend every weekend this Spring and Summer at the Range SHOOTING vs working on guns. I do plan on doing a series of Range Reports with my impressions of shooting these strange pieces. Four different longarms, and a couple of pistols. yes, as long as I'm going to all the trouble, why not a video? I'll look into that. I'll have a couple more to post (Turkish and Persian) over the next 30 days. Stay tuned for more craziness! :youcrazy: Thanks, Rick.

:shake:

 

That guy must be from California, looks like he's wearing birkenstocks and a Hari Krishna robe:haha: :blah: :rotf:

Bill

 

[wulf]

Here is a thought.. I heard it was possible they
held that huge wide and long butt against their
chest...could be...riding a camel with the butt
against the chest would give great leverage to
the right hand...The long barrel is very light
and in that position wouldn't be too barrel
heavy...also that could help expain the LP...
Just a thought....what do I know???

 

[Pigman]

Now you need the robes and you will be ready for a rondy. All documented to pre 1836 right?

Foster from Flint

 

[rickystl]

:haha: Good one Bill! :rotf: :hatsoff: Notice the gun in the photo is almost a clone of mine. Wonder when this photo was taken? Maybe someone with knowledge of old construction can tell by the door knob? Rick.