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Ornate Middle Eastern Flintlock Camel Musket

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:250.00 USD
Ornate Middle Eastern Flintlock Camel Musket
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Antique Highly Ornate Middle Eastern (possibly Persian or Afghan) Flintlock Camel Musket, or Jezail, NVSN, approx. .64 cal. smoothbore, 35-5/8'' round barrel with cannon-turned muzzle and unusual raised-channel rear sight appears to have once been ornately engraved and etched, and is retained by four sheet brass barrel bands; large iron lockplate with pointed tail (likely sourced from a period European musket) is marked with a rampant lion above another mark (perhaps a date, now illegible) ahead of the flint cock; heavy iron triggerguard with fancy front finial and very long rear tang that extends almost to the butt. Yet the most outstanding feature of this impressive arm is its hardwood fullstock with its dramatic up-curve, which is almost completely overlaid in sheet brass delicately pierced in intricate designs and arranged in patterns of repeated lines, borders, and panels encompassing mother-of-pearl tree-of-life and geometric elements, all arranged into a surprisingly harmonious whole. Condition is good for this type of arm, with a deep rust-brown patina to the iron barrel and lock; all of the brass stock decoration appears intact, being attached to the wood with myriad tiny iron nails; all of the mother-of-pearl inlays are likewise present. Ramrod is missing; two nails were driven lengthwise into the butt, apparently to strengthen that part of the stock. The lock (held in place by two large screws on the left side) appears to be in its original flintlock configuration, with unbushed touchhole. Action functions smoothly; bore is dark as expected. With their characteristically long, heavy barrels and short, curved buttstocks, Jezails were most often fired from a forked rest, or the crook of a tree. This one, with a little TLC, will be an impressive piece, indeed. Est.: $500-$750. (Antique)