A TORADOR MUSKET FOR A BOY

[BANDOOK]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Rajesh,

Mine has a lot of tigers on the barrel.
Let's dream that it was to hunt tigers...

Best,
Kubur

haha good one,you never know,poor tigers,more tigers as pets in peoples apartments in usa than in the indian jungle,cheers

[Jens Nordlunde]

Without any knowledge about shooting weapons I had to read about them, and here is what I found.
Robert Elgood: Firearms of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, 1995.
On page 130 Elgood quotes Oppert, who again quotes Sukraniti - Elgood writes that it is doubtful how genuine Sukraniti realy is.
" two kinds of firearms are dscribed in the Sukraniti, one is of small size and the other is of large size. The former is five spans long [a span is about 22 cm]..."
There are, of course, a lot of other interesting things to read, like on Sind where note 79 is of special interest, as it tells about a visit by Arnold von Haff in 1497, where he gives a description of the armoury, where he gives its size to thirty feed wide and quite a hundred feet long which is full of arms, like 3-4000 swords, daggers, chain mails, helmets, shields, long pikes and many cross bows hanging under the roof in six rows.
The description is too long for me to quote, but I think you get the general idea, that the armoury was quite big, and contained a lot of weapons.

It is also mentioned that these short guns were likely made for a boy or a woman.

[rickystl]

Hi Bandook.
That's a nice carbine length Torador. Good find.

Estcrh: YES! Thanks for the pics of these really short ones. I'll add this to my library. As mentioned above, the 1865 is an arsenal rack number.

Rick.

[BANDOOK]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Bandook.
That's a nice carbine length Torador. Good find.

Estcrh: YES! Thanks for the pics of these really short ones. I'll add this to my library. As mentioned above, the 1865 is an arsenal rack number.

Rick.

THANKS RICK,CHEERS

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Without any knowledge about shooting weapons I had to read about them, and here is what I found.
Robert Elgood: Firearms of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, 1995.
On page 130 Elgood quotes Oppert, who again quotes Sukraniti - Elgood writes that it is doubtful how genuine Sukraniti realy is.
" two kinds of firearms are dscribed in the Sukraniti, one is of small size and the other is of large size. The former is five spans long [a span is about 22 cm]..."
There are, of course, a lot of other interesting things to read, like on Sind where note 79 is of special interest, as it tells about a visit by Arnold von Haff in 1497, where he gives a description of the armoury, where he gives its size to thirty feed wide and quite a hundred feet long which is full of arms, like 3-4000 swords, daggers, chain mails, helmets, shields, long pikes and many cross bows hanging under the roof in six rows.
The description is too long for me to quote, but I think you get the general idea, that the armoury was quite big, and contained a lot of weapons.

It is also mentioned that these short guns were likely made for a boy or a woman.

Jens,
Thank you for noting this and for so well citing and referencing the source and pages. I also have little knowledge on these firearms, and its great to have these sources so I can pursue more in that context. I always appreciate when contributors add these details. The note as to these indeed produced for boys as suspected is great support.

All best regards
Jim

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The note as to these indeed produced for boys as suspected is great support.

All best regards
Jim

Jim, Jens quote says "It is also mentioned that these short guns were likely made for a boy or a woman." "Likely" is subjective, and since there are several types which ones, carbines or pistols, and what was Elgood basing this on, an older reference, images of a boy or woman using a short matchlock, more research is needed.

[estcrh]

This reference says that pistols (tabancha) and carbines appear to have been rarely used by Mughal cavalry, but what about non cavalry Mughal troops and other Indian cultures.

Mughal Warfare: Indian Frontiers and Highroads to Empire 1500–1700, J.J.L. Gommans, Routledge, 2003.

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by estcrh

This reference says that pistols (tabancha) and carbines appear to have been rarely used by Mughal cavalry, but what about non cavalry Mughal troops and other Indian cultures.

Mughal Warfare: Indian Frontiers and Highroads to Empire 1500–1700, J.J.L. Gommans, Routledge, 2003.

Estcrh: Thank you for Posting this. First time I've read this. Most interesting.
My investigation of the breech of these barrels seems to confirm the mention here of "large powder chambers".
It's just amazing they continued to use these matchlocks well into the 19th Century. Thanks again.
Rick.

[Pukka Bundook]

Rick,

In the book "Sahib" (The British soldier in India)
There are many instances quoted of the native with his matchlock outshooting the British infantry, both in range and accuracy.
This didn't really change until the rifle -musket came along, and even then the Indian torador was still used for sniping at long range.
Appears as well, that some excelled at accurate shooting with these from galloping horses...

[estcrh]

From the Pitt Rivers Museum

The matchlock musket was known as a torador in India. This is a shorter-barrelled version or 'carbine' version inlaid with ivory and dates to the 18th or 19th century. It was probably made for use on horseback as it has a ring for a lanyard (carrying strap). However, it was not uncommon to find shorter guns such as this made specially for women and children as hunting was enjoyed by all ages and both sexes of the Indian upper classes.

[estcrh]

Firearms of the Islamic World: In the Tared Rajab Museum, Kuwait By Robert Elgood.

[estcrh]

This paragraph mentions the use of carbine matchlocks (keroolee) in battle.



Historical sketches of the south of India: in an attempt to trace the history of Mysoor; from the origin of the Hindoo government of that state, to the extinction of the Mohammedan dynasty in 1799, Mark Wilks, 1817.
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