Moukhala Rifle

Jim McDougall · 23rd July 2010, 06:36 PM

Thank you so much for posting this outstanding piece Martin!!!
I really dont know a great deal on these North African guns, but they are fascinating, and incredibly colorful. I am wondering about the significance of the corals imbedded in the butt, and have often seen coral as a decorative addition on Moroccan weapons. Can anyone please explain, is there any kind of talismanic or symbolic meaning?

All best regards ,
Jim

fernando · 23rd July 2010, 06:57 PM

Hi Martin,
Welcome to the forum.
Great Moukhala you got there.
I hope the expert folks will tell you where about it comes from

.
Fernando

ariel · 23rd July 2010, 07:01 PM

Well, I have no idea abour guns, but...

What is this strange sword you have on the wall, the one between the Nimcha and the 1881 Russian shashka ?
Can I entice you to provide better pics?

mjamerks · 23rd July 2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Well, I have no idea abour guns, but...

What is this strange sword you have on the wall, the one between the Nimcha and the 1881 Russian shashka ?
Can I entice you to provide better pics?

Hi Ariel

Good eyes you have.
I posted a new thread with pics.

Rgds
Martin

Navigator · 24th July 2010, 12:45 AM

Outstanding rifle!
Are you going to fire it?

Jim McDougall · 24th July 2010, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navigator

Outstanding rifle!
Are you going to fire it?

Welcome to the forum Navigator!!!
Thank you for posting....tell us about your interests, are you a gun collector?
Best regards,
Jim

Navigator · 25th July 2010, 10:25 PM

Hi Jim,
I do have the collector gene.
But my strongest interests are in Philippine ethnic art.
I lived six years in the Philippines and travelled in the Cordillera as both an anthropology student and amateur photographer.
I have a modest collection of weavings, carvings, basketry, and weapons from the Cordillera and perhaps a dozen Kris from Mindanao.

Jim McDougall · 26th July 2010, 03:28 AM

OK, I guess our gun experts are on vacation and nobody else wants to dance

....I know little about guns, but decided to hit the books.

Apparantly these interesting Kabyle guns are termed the Kabyle miguelet or moukalla (these other terms such as miguelet etc.are apparantly often in dispute, but moukalla is the locally used term). While references claim that Italian locks were often supplied to the Kabyles (these guns were in use from the 17th century) it does appear this is a native version of the locks which I believe are termed an ajujeta lock (Arab toe lock). These are modified versions that are said to correspond loosely to the Ripoll (Catalonia) style miguelet locks.
These guns usually fired in about .67 cal. range, and usually had about up to twelve 'capucines' (silver bands) around the barrel.

While I was not yet able to discover the specifics on significance or meaning of the corals, it does seem that these were used extensively to decorate weapons and trappings with the Ottomans, who referred to this type of decoration as 'cezayir isi' (Elgood, p.76). Many flintlock pistols were made in France (St. Etienne) for export to Algeria with profusely applied coral decoration. The French Copmpagnie d'Afrique in Tunisia and eastern Algeria supplied the coral.

This looks like a splendid example of late 19th century moukhala, and likely served well in regions in Kabylia into the struggles there into the 20th century. The flintlock was often a favored weapon in remote tribal regions as they remained servicable where cartridge weapons supplies were often unobtainable.

The illustrations are an Ottoman hilt profuse with coral decoration and a Kabyle warrior of 19th c. with his moukalla and familiar flyssa. This example does not have the recognizable trumpet shaped butt however.

26th July 2010, 03:28 AM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	OK, I guess our gun experts are on vacation and nobody else wants to dance....I know little about guns, but decided to hit the books. Apparantly these interesting Kabyle guns are termed the Kabyle miguelet or moukalla (these other terms such as miguelet etc.are apparantly often in dispute, but moukalla is the locally used term). While references claim that Italian locks were often supplied to the Kabyles (these guns were in use from the 17th century) it does appear this is a native version of the locks which I believe are termed an ajujeta lock (Arab toe lock). These are modified versions that are said to correspond loosely to the Ripoll (Catalonia) style miguelet locks. These guns usually fired in about .67 cal. range, and usually had about up to twelve 'capucines' (silver bands) around the barrel. While I was not yet able to discover the specifics on significance or meaning of the corals, it does seem that these were used extensively to decorate weapons and trappings with the Ottomans, who referred to this type of decoration as 'cezayir isi' (Elgood, p.76). Many flintlock pistols were made in France (St. Etienne) for export to Algeria with profusely applied coral decoration. The French Copmpagnie d'Afrique in Tunisia and eastern Algeria supplied the coral. This looks like a splendid example of late 19th century moukhala, and likely served well in regions in Kabylia into the struggles there into the 20th century. The flintlock was often a favored weapon in remote tribal regions as they remained servicable where cartridge weapons supplies were often unobtainable. The illustrations are an Ottoman hilt profuse with coral decoration and a Kabyle warrior of 19th c. with his moukalla and familiar flyssa. This example does not have the recognizable trumpet shaped butt however. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 26th July 2010 at 03:39 AM.

23rd July 2010, 06:36 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	Thank you so much for posting this outstanding piece Martin!!! I really dont know a great deal on these North African guns, but they are fascinating, and incredibly colorful. I am wondering about the significance of the corals imbedded in the butt, and have often seen coral as a decorative addition on Moroccan weapons. Can anyone please explain, is there any kind of talismanic or symbolic meaning? All best regards , Jim

23rd July 2010, 06:57 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Martin, Welcome to the forum. Great Moukhala you got there. I hope the expert folks will tell you where about it comes from . Fernando

23rd July 2010, 07:01 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Well, I have no idea abour guns, but... What is this strange sword you have on the wall, the one between the Nimcha and the 1881 Russian shashka ? Can I entice you to provide better pics?

24th July 2010, 12:45 AM	#5
Navigator Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10	Outstanding rifle! Are you going to fire it?

25th July 2010, 10:25 PM	#7
Navigator Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10	Hi Jim, I do have the collector gene. But my strongest interests are in Philippine ethnic art. I lived six years in the Philippines and travelled in the Cordillera as both an anthropology student and amateur photographer. I have a modest collection of weavings, carvings, basketry, and weapons from the Cordillera and perhaps a dozen Kris from Mindanao.