Guns International #: 102864819
Seller's Inventory #: AL7389

Category - Antique Rifles - Flintlock - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Category
Antique Rifles - Flintlock
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

"Very Fine Silver Mounted Ottoman Tufek Rifle (AL7389)

Description:
"This interesting and ornate silver-mounted Ottoman Miquelet lock Tufek rifle is in very fine condition. It is approx. .58 caliber with a 34" octagon barrel with a very good, lightly oxidized 7-groove bore. The barrel is a mix of plum brown and twisted swirling Damascus with very nice gold damascening at both the muzzle and breech ends, each in an attractive geometric pattern, with some Arabic characters left and right nearer the breech and an impressed touchmark on the left diagonal flat. The patilla style Miquelet lock is ornate with light engraving, chiseling and file-cutting on the edges and springs. The bridle and portions of the hammer have applied silver overlays which are neatly engraved, with four coral inlays across the silver-mounted bridge. There is a sunken touchmark beneath the spring on the lockplate. The barrel is retained by five hammered and lightly engraved steel capucines (bands). There also are tenon escutcheons for dual barrel wedges which are no longer present. The Caucasian hardwood stock is some type of maple showing fiddleback figure throughout the forend area and a lovely birds eye on the butt facets at the rear. The stock itself is fine with the expected overall dings and dents from the years and what is likely original varnish. There are extensive pierced engraved silver inlays, overlays and bands in the area of the butt into the rear of the breech, continuing up the forearm proper. The top of the stock just to the rear of the sighting piece has a triple faceted silver overlay with light scroll and geometric engraving capping the stock in this area. The Arabic number atop the grip likely corresponds to its production year ""1198"" in the Islamic calendar which would be 1783. The inlays are of lovely quality and remain near fully intact, one or two small flourishes missing here and there years ago. The small decorative spinner atop the top jaw screw is no longer present and the small ball which would have been present on the bottom of the trigger is absent. The lock mechanism functions properly mechanically with a very robust mainspring. There is an iron ramrod present which is stuck fast in place and is certainly antique if not original to the gun. This lovely Ottoman musket, possibly from the Caucasus given the wood construction, is ornately made and exuding quality workmanship throughout. It would be the centerpiece of any collection.

Price: $8,500.00

Antique: Yes