Abu Futila

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by machinist

Thanks for posting these, they look like you could take them down and shoot them with no problems.

I am sure that would be interesting ...As an expert you would probably not want to be holding such an old barrel when it went off; Please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=OMANI+GUNS for some pictures of barrels that have parted company ... They tend to blow either at the first join or worse! at the breach. At the same reference are other items of abu futila equipment...etc Certainly well displayed and easy to handle ..

See the soddoms apple gunpowder plant in my garden ...below and a picture of the abu futilla being carried by Omani Slave Captain near Zanzibar.
Also on view are 3 powder flasks probably copied from the European style and 3 rare brass pre filled charges worn on a belt ..plus a few barrels.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Please see http://www.omanisilver.com/contents/...Matchlock.html for a reasonable background on the weapon.

See also https://books.google.com.om/books?id...chlock&f=false where Elgood discusses the more than likely appearance of Barrels other than European as well as from red sea sources as the pentagonal shape was preferred in Arabia.

The reference is further enhanced since Elgood worked and consulted on his fantastic book with the Tareq Rajeb Museum in Quwait which if you get the chance do go and see their amazing collections.

[rickystl]

Hi Ibrahiim.

Thank you for posting those two great looking Omani matchlocks. This also gave me the opportunity to re-read your earlier Threads. I find these guns interesting in so many ways. And, I'm probably not alone in finding the barrels the most interesting aspect. With all the decoration, chiseling, and relief work, I can't imagine how long it would take to complete one barrel. I too believe in the Persian heritage vs the German. Although I have seen photos of some of the early to mid 16th Century European matchlock barrels with similar work.

It seems the Omani barrels were made on mandrels, similar to the Indian Torador barrels. With the Omani barrels made in at least two sections. While the two barrels generally look different, they both have large outside diameter breeches and muzzles. I wonder if the interior bores of the Omani barrels follow a similar design of the Torador barrels ? Would be intereswting to know.

Rick

[Pukka Bundook]

Rick,

An interesting point has cometo light, via a good pal in N-Z. He told me that some of Tipu Sultan's guns had these very same barrels fitted! I did not know this.
Tipu's guns were normally flintlock and more modern/western, but his matchlocks have these very same "Omani" barrels fitted, And (!) the poincons are missing from these as well! This tells us that in all likelihood ours (with missing poincons) have had them removed a Very long time ago!

Salaams Ibrahiim, Thank you for these photos and for jogging my memory!

Richard.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Rick,

An interesting point has cometo light, via a good pal in N-Z. He told me that some of Tipu Sultan's guns had these very same barrels fitted! I did not know this.
Tipu's guns were normally flintlock and more modern/western, but his matchlocks have these very same "Omani" barrels fitted, And (!) the poincons are missing from these as well! This tells us that in all likelihood ours (with missing poincons) have had them removed a Very long time ago!

Salaams Ibrahiim, Thank you for these photos and for jogging my memory!

Richard.

Salaams Pukka Bundook ~ What is a poincon? Some sort of punch? I never heard that name before...Tipu Sultan traded with Arabia extensively thus barrels would have flowed into his logistics.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Now for some fine tuning on the Abu Futilla.(literally The Father of the Match) meaning "The One with the Match".

I reach back to 2008 for a great thread on accessories~ Please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=futilla

See below some additions both physical and ethnographic...variously...
1. Ready made up charges with ball and powder corked with cloth and probably carried in a bag rather than on a belt.
2. One of several types of fire striker ..
3. Single bullet mold pliers style.
4. Multiple bullet mold.
5. Sketch of tribals with Abu Futilla.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

It may be worth a note in clarification about the two styles of gunpowder flask used in Oman. Not withstanding the pre prepared charge styles shown above the two flasks have a different role... The wooden box type is for the main charge down the barrel. The more delicate silvered item shaped like a new moon is for the pan. Influence from Portugal or Germany may be included in the wooden box form whereas Ottoman style appears to reflect in the silver item. I also placed items on the Miscellaneous Forum in this regard.
See http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15083 at #15
and 16...the latter which may be Omani or Ottoman.

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Pukka Bundook ~ What is a poincon? Some sort of punch? I never heard that name before...Tipu Sultan traded with Arabia extensively thus barrels would have flowed into his logistics.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Hi Richard.

Thanks for your input here. VERY interesting. But I too am at a loss for the definition of poincon ?? Please elaborate. LOL.

Rick.

[fernando]

Poinçon= Puncture, Punch ... the term used by the French, in the context, for inspection or maker marks .

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Ibrahiim.

Thank you for posting those two great looking Omani matchlocks. This also gave me the opportunity to re-read your earlier Threads. I find these guns interesting in so many ways. And, I'm probably not alone in finding the barrels the most interesting aspect. With all the decoration, chiseling, and relief work, I can't imagine how long it would take to complete one barrel. I too believe in the Persian heritage vs the German. Although I have seen photos of some of the early to mid 16th Century European matchlock barrels with similar work.

It seems the Omani barrels were made on mandrels, similar to the Indian Torador barrels. With the Omani barrels made in at least two sections. While the two barrels generally look different, they both have large outside diameter breeches and muzzles. I wonder if the interior bores of the Omani barrels follow a similar design of the Torador barrels ? Would be intereswting to know.

Rick

The barrels are made up of a number of sections 3 or 4 and blistered together in rudimentary weld style...thus when they part...it must be dramatic. The other technique not generally seen in Oman was wound barrels ..twisted around a core. It is interesting that Elgood outlines the preference for pentagonal barrels from Red Sea sources for imported work for Arabia. I suppose the internal bores are different since the technique for creating the barrels is different but I will have a look at some of my own tomorrow...

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

The barrels are made up of a number of sections 3 or 4 and blistered together in rudimentary weld style...thus when they part...it must be dramatic. The other technique not generally seen in Oman was wound barrels ..twisted around a core. It is interesting that Elgood outlines the preference for pentagonal barrels from Red Sea sources for imported work for Arabia. I suppose the internal bores are different since the technique for creating the barrels is different but I will have a look at some of my own tomorrow...

Hi Ibrahiim.
Thanks for the information. So it does in fact appear that these Omani barrels were made using a different process than the Torador barrels. One day, I might be able to locate one of these Omani barrels that I can purchase or trade for study. Thanks for your comments.

Rick.