Matchlock long gun for Discussion/Help with translation
 

Hi Guys,
Bought this matchlock gun recently and thought I would put it to the forum for discussion. It measures 145cm in length and the stock appears to be made from two different types of hardwood. I would also appreciate anybody who was able to help me with the translation.

Thanks as always
Darren

Just been trawling through past posts and have seen a long gun similar in design at the following link

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?=14146.

It is being described as Ottoman Tufenk. Am I barking up the right tree or jumping to conclusions. Perhaps contributors to this previous thread may know
Thanks
Darren

Hi Darren
For me indo Arab matchlock
You could see the following link
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15524
For translation may be Dom could help you ....
Cerjak

Thanks for the help Cerjak. Your thread link was very useful just waiting for help with the translation now. Being a newbie I dont have private messaging privalages at the moment so have been unable to ask Dom for assistance in the translation. Hope he or anybody else may be able to help
Thanks
Darren

Yes,
I would also plump for southern Arabia; Yemen, Tihama; that end.
My arrabic is abyssmal, but I'm fairly sure the inscription is a name, Muhammad bin something or the other, possibly Bakeel Baquas.
Regards
Richard

Thanks for your help Richard. Hopefully some one else will pipe up as well.
Thanks
Darren

Darren,
Mate, you have full PM privileges . :)

Darren, from what I have read Ottoman matchlock muskets are not very common, here is one with a description as a comparison.

Ottoman fitilli tufenk (matchlock musket), 17th century, damascus patterned, round barrel with carved lobed cartouches. Circassian walnut stock, ivory butt, inlaid ivory and brass plates. This type of firearm was used by the Janissaries. Ottoman matchlocks of this type are rare in Turkey, they can be seen at museums in Poland and Ukraine as these were captured by the Poles and Cossacks during wars with the Ottomans. Barrel 35 inches, over all 49 inches.

Thanks Estcrh,
One of the reasons i thought my ltem was Ottoman was because of the square shoulder that drops away behind the match holder/serpentine. I think it is more square than on the majority of the Arab guns i have seen. The examples of Ottoman guns you have posted have the same type of shoulder as mine.
Darren

Darren, I am not sure how you can differentiate between an ottoman matchlock and what is being called an "Arab" matchlock. Here are another couple of Ottoman matchlocks.