I recently inherited this gun and was hoping someone could give me information on what kind it is, age, value, where used... etc. Any and all information is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Need help identifying this gun
- Thread starter James1971
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Middle eastern.
Just to throw some light on the issue, here is what picture 2 looks like when it is lighter.
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The cock looks like it came off a dog-lock musket
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Camel gun. Probably made for the tourist trade.
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It's Moroccan or Algerian, probably 19th century. These guns kept many obsolete features derived from earlier European guns. According to Elgood, this one should represent style from the Tetuan N Coast, N of Fez on plains below Atlas Mts
From Elgood, Firearms of the Islamic World:
P67-68 – The Maghrib had close links to Europe, espec Spain – N Africa conquered by Arabs, also included those expelled from Spain, and Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch trade colonies dominated coast and some inland trade routes, bringing much Euro influence in arms. So p69-70, Moroccan guns of 19th C still show “fishtail” stock “which closely resembles the Dutch matchlock musket of about 1680” and “local variations on the Anglo-Dutch snaphaunce lock of the 1600s were still in production in the nineteenth century.” Butt wood was walnut from Goundafa, silver decoration from Spanish coins, camel bone or ivory from Sudan. “All artisans had their own particular type of decoration which was easily recognizable by those who know them.”
Tirri, Islamic Weapons: p 20 – generic ‘Berber guns’ but 4 regional variants of Moroccan identifiable. All generally called Mukahla.
1. Tetuan region N of Fez – wood stocked smoothbores w inlaid decoration [Fig 2, Moroccan ‘Mukahla’ from Tetuan N Coastal region, – sim to my M#1 in butt + lock form, delicate decoration, but with wire. P36 fig 15 ‘Berber’ guns include another with stock form + décor sim to mine, from Algeria.]
2. Taroudant region – sim to other Berber guns, but more conventional buttstock design, long barreled smoothbores, called Affedali [fig 3 shows straighter butt, w thumb notch, bone plate decoration]
3. above the Little Atlas Mts, called Altit, sim in décor to Affedali, but distinctive downturned camel bone or ivory butt. [This is my M #2 – fig 4 shows one example so similar to mine that it must have been made by same shop or same craftsman.]
4. Ras el Oued region, high valley of the Sous Mts, called Taouzilt, butt covered with silver plates, mesh, and studs. [fig 5 shows straight butt with thumb notch, shape like Affedali, décor rather ugly in my opinion]
From Elgood, Firearms of the Islamic World:
P67-68 – The Maghrib had close links to Europe, espec Spain – N Africa conquered by Arabs, also included those expelled from Spain, and Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch trade colonies dominated coast and some inland trade routes, bringing much Euro influence in arms. So p69-70, Moroccan guns of 19th C still show “fishtail” stock “which closely resembles the Dutch matchlock musket of about 1680” and “local variations on the Anglo-Dutch snaphaunce lock of the 1600s were still in production in the nineteenth century.” Butt wood was walnut from Goundafa, silver decoration from Spanish coins, camel bone or ivory from Sudan. “All artisans had their own particular type of decoration which was easily recognizable by those who know them.”
Tirri, Islamic Weapons: p 20 – generic ‘Berber guns’ but 4 regional variants of Moroccan identifiable. All generally called Mukahla.
1. Tetuan region N of Fez – wood stocked smoothbores w inlaid decoration [Fig 2, Moroccan ‘Mukahla’ from Tetuan N Coastal region, – sim to my M#1 in butt + lock form, delicate decoration, but with wire. P36 fig 15 ‘Berber’ guns include another with stock form + décor sim to mine, from Algeria.]
2. Taroudant region – sim to other Berber guns, but more conventional buttstock design, long barreled smoothbores, called Affedali [fig 3 shows straighter butt, w thumb notch, bone plate decoration]
3. above the Little Atlas Mts, called Altit, sim in décor to Affedali, but distinctive downturned camel bone or ivory butt. [This is my M #2 – fig 4 shows one example so similar to mine that it must have been made by same shop or same craftsman.]
4. Ras el Oued region, high valley of the Sous Mts, called Taouzilt, butt covered with silver plates, mesh, and studs. [fig 5 shows straight butt with thumb notch, shape like Affedali, décor rather ugly in my opinion]
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Hi James1971
Can't really add much to JBrandon's comprehensive response above. It's hard to believe that these guns continued to be made and used all the way up to at least the 1880's. Which probably account for the large quantity of specimens still available today. The locks on these guns were usually locally made copies of the English (yours) or Dutch pattern snaphaunce locks, which date to 1600 or earlier in Europe. As mentioned, the butt stock style and decoration would usually indicate which area of Morocco it was made. You can find these today in every type of condition.
For comparison, here is a complete musket restored to shootable condition, with original accessories.
Rick
Can't really add much to JBrandon's comprehensive response above. It's hard to believe that these guns continued to be made and used all the way up to at least the 1880's. Which probably account for the large quantity of specimens still available today. The locks on these guns were usually locally made copies of the English (yours) or Dutch pattern snaphaunce locks, which date to 1600 or earlier in Europe. As mentioned, the butt stock style and decoration would usually indicate which area of Morocco it was made. You can find these today in every type of condition.
For comparison, here is a complete musket restored to shootable condition, with original accessories.
Rick
