Jezail for comment

rickystl · 27th September 2012, 05:36 PM

Hi Berkley! Thanks for the additional photos. Are there any threads in the hole? That would pretty much confirm that this gun was percussion at some point in it's life. But I don't believe anyone would fire this gun with a vent hole that large.

The blow-back would be dangerous. Sometimes vent holes were made a little larger so that while loading powder in the barrel, a small portion of the powder would fall into the pan area with the frizzen closed. This would save the extra step of having to prime the pan. But the size and position of this hole look the right size for a percussion drum. There were a number of Baker pattern locks that were percussion (or factory converted). And this may be one of those guns that utilized that lock? Being re-converted to flintlock would not be surprising since often percussion caps would be hard to find in the area, and expensive. Again, if there are threads in the hole, it was probably percussion. It may have had a vent liner installed during the re-conversion to flintlock. The most common material for vent liners during the period was gold (low grade) and may have been removed and sold when the gun was no longer being used. The interesting thing is that the barrel and lock patina look similar. And the lock that is on it now, is one of the most common and correct.
Of course I'm just speculating on some of these comments. And in any case, it does not distract from the overall appearance of the gun. It's a nice piece in really nice condition. Rick.

rickystl · 27th September 2012, 05:41 PM

Here's a thought: You might take the lock off and inspect the mortise area. You might find a slight difference in the color of the wood inside? Where maybe later inletting was done to accomodate a lock change. Just a thought.

Rick.

Berkley · 27th September 2012, 11:28 PM

To respond to some points that were raised:
A magnet is attracted to the barrel, so it isn't bronze.
The brass doesn't show any sign of recent cleaning.
There are threads inside the vent, and the fit of lock to stock is relatively crude. I am grateful that, whenever the percussion lock was replaced, a genuine EIC lock was used. At some point I do plan to dismount the lock for inspection. However, a Nepalese Brown Bess in much greater need of attention has first claim on my spare time for now.
Many thanks to all for the positive and helpful comments.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th September 2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

To respond to some points that were raised:
A magnet is attracted to the barrel, so it isn't bronze.
The brass doesn't show any sign of recent cleaning.
There are threads inside the vent, and the fit of lock to stock is relatively crude. I am grateful that, whenever the percussion lock was replaced, a genuine EIC lock was used. At some point I do plan to dismount the lock for inspection. However, a Nepalese Brown Bess in much greater need of attention has first claim on my spare time for now.
Many thanks to all for the positive and helpful comments.

Salaams Berkley The subject of locally made and restructured guns is a huge one. Your pictures are excellent... I don't have that many Indo Perian or Indo Afghan guns but here's one .. once again a made up piece typical of many in the Khyber and Indian regions. It will be interesting to see your Brown Bess... which apparently didn't have the range that some of the locally made long barrels had.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

rickystl · 28th September 2012, 05:01 PM

Berkley: I certainly know what you mean by having other projects first. I must have about six Ethno gun projects going on at the same time now.

It will be interesting to see the Brown Bess when available. Please Post photos. Thanks again for Posting the Jezail. Nice piece.

Ibrahiim: You're right. What a great example of a locally made/Khyber type gun you have. The Tower lock and the different barrel bands, etc. Great example!! Thanks for Posting. Rick.

Berkley · 28th September 2012, 06:43 PM

Here is the "Brown Bess", one of fewer than ten intact specimens recovered from Lagan Silekhana palace in Kathmandu in 2003.
The brass buttplate was sold for scrap by the palace "caretakers" long ago, but everything else is complete. Lock is a Windus pattern made in Birmingham but bearing a Nepalese Gurkha temple marking; all other parts made in Nepal.

rickystl · 30th September 2012, 06:56 PM

Hi Berkley. I might be able to locate an original and correct butt plate for you if interested? PM me if interested. Rick.

28th September 2012, 06:43 PM	#6
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	Here is the "Brown Bess", one of fewer than ten intact specimens recovered from Lagan Silekhana palace in Kathmandu in 2003. The brass buttplate was sold for scrap by the palace "caretakers" long ago, but everything else is complete. Lock is a Windus pattern made in Birmingham but bearing a Nepalese Gurkha temple marking; all other parts made in Nepal. Attached Images Last edited by Berkley; 29th September 2012 at 03:40 AM.

27th September 2012, 05:36 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,629	Hi Berkley! Thanks for the additional photos. Are there any threads in the hole? That would pretty much confirm that this gun was percussion at some point in it's life. But I don't believe anyone would fire this gun with a vent hole that large. The blow-back would be dangerous. Sometimes vent holes were made a little larger so that while loading powder in the barrel, a small portion of the powder would fall into the pan area with the frizzen closed. This would save the extra step of having to prime the pan. But the size and position of this hole look the right size for a percussion drum. There were a number of Baker pattern locks that were percussion (or factory converted). And this may be one of those guns that utilized that lock? Being re-converted to flintlock would not be surprising since often percussion caps would be hard to find in the area, and expensive. Again, if there are threads in the hole, it was probably percussion. It may have had a vent liner installed during the re-conversion to flintlock. The most common material for vent liners during the period was gold (low grade) and may have been removed and sold when the gun was no longer being used. The interesting thing is that the barrel and lock patina look similar. And the lock that is on it now, is one of the most common and correct. Of course I'm just speculating on some of these comments. And in any case, it does not distract from the overall appearance of the gun. It's a nice piece in really nice condition. Rick.

27th September 2012, 05:41 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,629	Here's a thought: You might take the lock off and inspect the mortise area. You might find a slight difference in the color of the wood inside? Where maybe later inletting was done to accomodate a lock change. Just a thought. Rick.

27th September 2012, 11:28 PM	#3
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	To respond to some points that were raised: A magnet is attracted to the barrel, so it isn't bronze. The brass doesn't show any sign of recent cleaning. There are threads inside the vent, and the fit of lock to stock is relatively crude. I am grateful that, whenever the percussion lock was replaced, a genuine EIC lock was used. At some point I do plan to dismount the lock for inspection. However, a Nepalese Brown Bess in much greater need of attention has first claim on my spare time for now. Many thanks to all for the positive and helpful comments.

28th September 2012, 05:01 PM	#5
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,629	Berkley: I certainly know what you mean by having other projects first. I must have about six Ethno gun projects going on at the same time now. It will be interesting to see the Brown Bess when available. Please Post photos. Thanks again for Posting the Jezail. Nice piece. Ibrahiim: You're right. What a great example of a locally made/Khyber type gun you have. The Tower lock and the different barrel bands, etc. Great example!! Thanks for Posting. Rick.

30th September 2012, 06:56 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,629	Hi Berkley. I might be able to locate an original and correct butt plate for you if interested? PM me if interested. Rick.