Moroccan barrel inscription advice please

[Mel H]

Hoping someone can help here, I've attached some photographs of the barrel inscription on a Moroccan long gun with Snaphaunce lock. It's interesting because the barrel is quite long at 64 inches. The double photo is showing the view from both sides.

[Kubur]

Sorry but you have to post the whole gun... I would like to see the muzzle.
thanks

[Mel H]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Sorry but you have to post the whole gun... I would like to see the muzzle.
thanks

Hi there, I appreciate that it would help to see it all and I would normally show it, but at the moment it's being prepared for some restoration, the lock is stripped and soaking and I'm wondering whether to separate the barrel and stock. I will take a photo of the fore end tomorrow.
Mel.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Mel H

Hi there, I appreciate that it would help to see it all and I would normally show it, but at the moment it's being prepared for some restoration, the lock is stripped and soaking and I'm wondering whether to separate the barrel and stock. I will take a photo of the fore end tomorrow.
Mel.

Hi Mel,
You ask about taking the barrel down........If it is attached to the stock with bands ONLY, then it should be quite easy, BUT if, as on some North African guns, the stock is totaly (or partly) wrapped in decorated brass, then it might be a good idea to leave it as it is.
Look forward to pics of the complete gun........
Stu

[Kubur]

I can read "anno dei"
the year of ...
then a number x32x ???
so it should be an Italian barrel or an African copy

[Mel H]

Thank you, I was thinking that the script had something of a European look, I've added another picture. The barrel flares slightly toward the muzzle it is round with a flat portion on the top running the full length.
Due to tightness of the brass bands and the fragility of the wood I've decided That I will carry out some sympathetic restoration without the need to separate it.
Mel.

[Battara]

I was thinking that the inscription looks French to me.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Mel H

Thank you, I was thinking that the script had something of a European look, I've added another picture. The barrel flares slightly toward the muzzle it is round with a flat portion on the top running the full length.
Due to tightness of the brass bands and the fragility of the wood I've decided That I will carry out some sympathetic restoration without the need to separate it.
Mel.

Hi Mel,
Nice looking gun and in good condition too! What you have is called a Mukahla and is from the Tetuan North Coastal region of Morocco.
IF you do want to remove the barrel, you may find it is not as hard as you think. Possibly you can get the bands on the move (gently tap towards the muzzle using a wooden wedge). Make sure you mark each band as to where it came from and the DIRECTION it came off the barrel. It is quite possible that one of the bands is hiding a join in the wood, which is quite common with these long barrels. Anyway you would be a better judge as to the necessity of removing the bands. Certainly a light rub over with very fine steel wool would bring up the brass bands and the barrel, without removing the patina.
Also what are those white spots along the top of the barrel?
Awaiting the final result.
Stu