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No. African Arabic Kabyle Snaphance Musket

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:300.00 USD
No. African Arabic Kabyle Snaphance Musket
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North African Arabic Kabyle (or Moukalla) Snaphance Musket, NVSN, approx. .62 cal smoothbore, 73'' overall, barrel is 1/3 octagon, 2/3 round and measures 58'' in length, retained by three wide brass bands that are decorated with punched and engraved decorations and borders. Rear sight is a raised slot type, front sight is a thin blade. Barrel is most likely hand forged, and has four stamped maker or proof marks at the rear. Iron ramrod with decorative filed tip. Lock is a beautifully made snaphance type with hand filed and decorated hammer, frizzen, frizzen spring, and pan. There is a decorative stamp or engraved flourish under the hammer on the lock plate, along with two round stamped proof or maker's marks. Lock is retained by three screws with small brass inlaid plates that come in from the opposite side of the stock. Stock has a wide butt area, typical of this type of rifle from North Africa, with a thick horn buttplate measuring 9'' long. There is a 1'' thick dark horn spacer between the buttplate and the wood of the stock, and a couple small mother of pearl decorations in the top of the butt spacer and top of the stock at the barrel tang. Condition is very good, the barrel, lock, screws, and trigger guard having been cleaned in the white some time ago. Top of barrel shows a light thin red rust patina from being hung on a wall for many years. Stock shows numerous dings, scratches, depressions, small gouges overall, and a ''V''-shaped crack near the bottom of the ramrod slot that extends to both sides with a hairline crack in the middle. There are some light chips to the sides of the stock around the barrel, an old repair under the rear barrel band, and an old repair with a tight hairline in the stocknear the front of the lockplate. Horn buttplate and spacer show some gouges and minor chipping at the lower tip of the butt. Action functions properly, although a little stiff. Overall a nice example with a fantastic snaphance lock. Est.: $600-$800. (Antique)(John Ackerman collection)