Ottoman Guns

[BuffaloSoldier]

What a great job on those weapons, would be proud to add one to my collection!

 

[rickystl]

View attachment 225651

Bobi: What thickness or gauge of metal do you use to make the barrel bands ?

Rick

 

[rickystl]

Speaking of Ottoman guns, look what I just found in my collection. Forgot I even had this one. LOL Well, at 73 years old, and not remembering some of the guns you own, maybe it's time to start thinking about thinning the herd (?) LOL It's just really hard for me to let stuff go.
Anyway, here is an original Ottoman/Turkish tufek smooth bore. It's all complete, nothing missing. The lock is in good working order (could use a bit of tuning) and has a good barrel. The stock is sound with the exception of the long, straight stress crack in the butt stock (an easy fix). The two barrel bands appear original. All metal parts have a heavy, but smooth patina. In fact, heavy enough to make the few brass mounts look like iron at first glance. LOL But a series of light cleanings overall could reduce the entire patina to just the right desired level.
I now remember buying this gun a few years ago as I thought this one would be a good candidate to make into a shooter. I still think so. But I already have two others (rifled and smooth bore) to shoot. Hmmm... I may send the barrel to Bobby Hoyt anyway for a new liner. That and the easy stock repair is all I can see necessary to convert to a safe shooter. Even the current vent hole is in the right spot.
Picture heavy here, but hope you enjoy looking.

Rick

 

[rickystl]

MORE PICS...

 

[rickystl]

STILL MORE PICS...

 

[hectorintca]

STILL MORE PICS...

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Sir;
Pretty Damm cool!
H

 

[bobi13]

Bobi: What thickness or gauge of metal do you use to make the barrel bands ?

Rick

I use 0.3mm thick silver or brass sheet.

 

[cyten]

Speaking of Ottoman guns, look what I just found in my collection. Forgot I even had this one. LOL

That’s a nice clean, example, almost as plain as mine but just enough decoration.

Here is another photo of the silver work Bobi has done on a Boyliya

I had the pleasure of attending an antique arms bazaar in Veliko Tărnovo yesterday thanks to Bobi informing me about it. Here are some pictures of what was available. Photo quality is not great and was bit difficult to get some shots.

“Suma” ramrods

There were many more things outside of the scope of this forum, blades/breechloaders.

 

[Rudyard]

I use 0.3mm thick silver or brass sheet.

Most Op shops have old silver plated trays ect that are about right to make capucins / Bands I years ago bought lion head jewelry dies blocks in Cawnpore they if forced by lead & hammering form a repusse ' head that I use to add a bit of fancy to bands . The round brass bound inlays would sell to such as us out side Bulgaria
Regards Rudyard

 

[Barud]

Hello, I'm Bobi the restorer from Bulgaria. As of today, I am a member of the forum thanks to Cyten . I will be very pleased to discount Ottoman and Balkan weapons.

Hello, pleased to make your acquaintance. I must say that your work is wonderful and I hope to see more of it in the future (perhaps even own a few, God willing).

Speaking of Ottoman guns, look what I just found in my collection. Forgot I even had this one. LOL Well, at 73 years old, and not remembering some of the guns you own, maybe it's time to start thinking about thinning the herd (?) LOL It's just really hard for me to let stuff go.
Anyway, here is an original Ottoman/Turkish tufek smooth bore. It's all complete, nothing missing. The lock is in good working order (could use a bit of tuning) and has a good barrel. The stock is sound with the exception of the long, straight stress crack in the butt stock (an easy fix). The two barrel bands appear original. All metal parts have a heavy, but smooth patina. In fact, heavy enough to make the few brass mounts look like iron at first glance. LOL But a series of light cleanings overall could reduce the entire patina to just the right desired level.
I now remember buying this gun a few years ago as I thought this one would be a good candidate to make into a shooter. I still think so. But I already have two others (rifled and smooth bore) to shoot. Hmmm... I may send the barrel to Bobby Hoyt anyway for a new liner. That and the easy stock repair is all I can see necessary to convert to a safe shooter. Even the current vent hole is in the right spot.
Picture heavy here, but hope you enjoy looking.

Rick

It's always a joy to see pieces from your collection, Rick. I hope you keep blessing us with such discoveries.

I had the pleasure of attending an antique arms bazaar in Veliko Tărnovo yesterday thanks to Bobi informing me about it. Here are some pictures of what was available. Photo quality is not great and was bit difficult to get some shots.

Good god, that stuff certainly beats the flea market that we have here. I'm a bit jealous, I must say.

 

[TobJohn]

Hello, pleased to make your acquaintance. I must say that your work is wonderful and I hope to see more of it in the future (perhaps even own a few, God willing).

It's always a joy to see pieces from your collection, Rick. I hope you keep blessing us with such discoveries.

Good god, that stuff certainly beats the flea market that we have here. I'm a bit jealous, I must say.

Is it hard for Turks to visit Bulgaria? If there is not visa for a short trip, you could go across the border and have a very productive shopping trip lol.

 

[Barud]

Is it hard for Turks to visit Bulgaria? If there is not visa for a short trip, you could go across the border and have a very productive shopping trip lol.

It's quite easy, actually. Going through customs with antique firearms, on the other hand...

 

[TobJohn]

It's quite easy, actually. Going through customs with antique firearms, on the other hand...

Oh duh, I forgot about that. A lot of English speaking countries treat originals AND replicas of black powder muzzleloaders as antiques with pretty easy importation rules.

You could still probably pick up a couple of barrels and locks as “tobacco pipes” and “cigarette lighters” lol.

 

[Barud]

Oh duh, I forgot about that. A lot of English speaking countries treat originals AND replicas of black powder muzzleloaders as antiques with pretty easy importation rules.

You could still probably pick up a couple of barrels and locks as “tobacco pipes” and “cigarette lighters” lol.

That might just work. Or buying some replicas without touchholes and saying they're for decoration. It's less about the laws and more about the attitude of the customs officers, honestly. The laws are designed to be as vague as possible, which just means that they're going to work against you if you don't have connections or money.

 

[cyten]

From Bobi’s collection I spotted this gorgeous lock in nice condition

Incidentally I’ve found a Shishane using a similar lock with nearly identical engraving pattern

Notice how the top back of the cock has the same design as the breech

I also spotted this beautiful barrel at the show.

And by chance, here is a Shishane with nearly the same, minus the name on the tang

 

[TobJohn]

From Bobi’s collection I spotted this gorgeous lock in nice conditionView attachment 226031

Incidentally I’ve found a Shishane using a similar lock with nearly identical engraving pattern
View attachment 226033
Notice how the top back of the cock has the same design as the breech
View attachment 226034
View attachment 226035


I also spotted this beautiful barrel at the show.
View attachment 226036
View attachment 226037
And by chance, here is a Shishane with nearly the same, minus the name on the tang
View attachment 226038View attachment 226039View attachment 226040

Those are some beautiful examples, thanks for sharing!

How much do original barrels go for? I assume a modern built Damascus forged and decorated barrel would be absurdly expensive, with all the skill and labor. Are the originals somewhat reasonable?

 

[rickystl]

I use 0.3mm thick silver or brass sheet.

OK. Thanks. How do you attached the bands to the barrel and stock ? Solder ? Small nails ? or ?

Rick

 

[rickystl]

Cyten: Thanks for the additional photos. Just wonderful.
Yes, the decoration on both locks look like they could have come from the same shop. That one Ottoman lock of Boli's is indeed in super condition. Looks better than any of mine. This is as close as I can come. Although this one will clean better.

Those two barrels are fabulous with all the silver mounting going untouched.

Rick

 

[RAEDWALD]

Hello, I'm Bobi the restorer from Bulgaria. As of today, I am a member of the forum thanks to Cyten . I will be very pleased to discount Ottoman and Balkan weapons.

добре дошъл във форума bobi. Дядо ми щеше да ги види преди да емигрира от Ямбол във Франция преди 120 години.

 

[cyten]

Those are some beautiful examples, thanks for sharing!

How much do original barrels go for? I assume a modern built Damascus forged and decorated barrel would be absurdly expensive, with all the skill and labor. Are the originals somewhat reasonable?

I didnt bother asking at the show as I had been getting some "gringo prices" thrown at me. But I have seen original barrels here going for as cheap as $30 for usuable not bad pistol length to $200 for ok rifle length.

Cyten: Thanks for the additional photos. Just wonderful.
Yes, the decoration on both locks look like they could have come from the same shop. That one Ottoman lock of Boli's is indeed in super condition. Looks better than any of mine. This is as close as I can come. Although this one will clean better.

Those two barrels are fabulous with all the silver mounting going untouched.

Rick

As Bobi has explained it to me, the lock you have posted comes specifically from Gabrovo, a region in central Bulgaria. From the examples he showed me, it seems the most telling feature is the Pac Man-esque cock with a fat squared back.

I also wanted to show an extreme rarity, a “new old stock” if you will, Boyliya lock, never drilled and tapped for mounting screws.