Albanian Rasak or Greek Kariophili?

kahnjar1 · 21st October 2018, 01:50 AM

Every so often something really nice turns up and I was lucky enough to win this recently at a local auction.
Either an Albanian Rasak or Greek Kariophili. I am leaning toward the Greek.....
The stock is beautifully carved and inlaid on both sides with 2 ivory?? buttons. An ivory or bone "plug" behind the barrel tang has a turquoise for decoration. The furniture is iron and nicely worked around the edges, as are the 3 barrel bands.
The barrel is 46" (117cm) and is smooth bore of approx 15mm. Apart from the rammer which is a replacement, the whole looks to be in good original condition.
There are no marks/names anywhere that I can see.
All comments welcome.
Stu

kahnjar1 · 21st October 2018, 01:52 AM

...and some more pics

Kubur · 21st October 2018, 08:22 AM

Speechless a pure beauty
Because of the lock and the trigger, i would say Greek
Plus the butt is quiete straight and not curved like the rasak
Our Greek friends will probably comment...

rickystl · 21st October 2018, 06:40 PM

Hi Stu

I am sooooo glad you got this gun. Yes, a real beauty !! And with a big European trade style lock. The lock looks like it was built very similar to the British trade lock of the early 19th Century. But just a bit different in it's details. But I'm confident the lock is European. Love the barrel on this one. And the iron barrel bands and other decorative hardware look just great. And the butt stock carving is also in great shape. You did well on this one. Congratulations.
I'm going with Kubar on this and saying it's Greek. The straighter stock and the decorative trigger are clues. The Greeks seemed fond of having decorative triggers on all their guns. Some even designed to look like human forms.
Again, well done. A really nice piece that appears to need nothing else done except to display it. You did great at that auction.

Now, what can I trade you for it ? LOL !!!!

Rick

TVV · 21st October 2018, 06:41 PM

If I had to vote, I would vote Greek too. But the most appropriate way to describe this gun would be simply as "very nice", congratulations.

21st October 2018, 01:50 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,785	Albanian Rasak or Greek Kariophili? Every so often something really nice turns up and I was lucky enough to win this recently at a local auction. Either an Albanian Rasak or Greek Kariophili. I am leaning toward the Greek..... The stock is beautifully carved and inlaid on both sides with 2 ivory?? buttons. An ivory or bone "plug" behind the barrel tang has a turquoise for decoration. The furniture is iron and nicely worked around the edges, as are the 3 barrel bands. The barrel is 46" (117cm) and is smooth bore of approx 15mm. Apart from the rammer which is a replacement, the whole looks to be in good original condition. There are no marks/names anywhere that I can see. All comments welcome. Stu Attached Images

21st October 2018, 01:52 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,785	more pics.... ...and some more pics Attached Images

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21st October 2018, 08:22 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Speechless a pure beauty Because of the lock and the trigger, i would say Greek Plus the butt is quiete straight and not curved like the rasak Our Greek friends will probably comment...

21st October 2018, 06:40 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,629	Hi Stu I am sooooo glad you got this gun. Yes, a real beauty !! And with a big European trade style lock. The lock looks like it was built very similar to the British trade lock of the early 19th Century. But just a bit different in it's details. But I'm confident the lock is European. Love the barrel on this one. And the iron barrel bands and other decorative hardware look just great. And the butt stock carving is also in great shape. You did well on this one. Congratulations. I'm going with Kubar on this and saying it's Greek. The straighter stock and the decorative trigger are clues. The Greeks seemed fond of having decorative triggers on all their guns. Some even designed to look like human forms. Again, well done. A really nice piece that appears to need nothing else done except to display it. You did great at that auction. Now, what can I trade you for it ? LOL !!!! Rick

21st October 2018, 06:41 PM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	If I had to vote, I would vote Greek too. But the most appropriate way to describe this gun would be simply as "very nice", congratulations.