Another Afghan Jezail?

Victrix · 18th January 2018, 08:44 PM

This is an antique rifle given to me as a gift 20 years ago, and I always wondered what it was. It was purchased from an antiques shop on Eton High Street (Berkshire, England). The seller said it “was used by British troops in the Sudan.” Recently I saw pictures of similar objects identified as Afghan jezail. It has a functioning percussion lock stamped with a British crown and "Tower 1870." It has a scrolled hexagon barrel with a detachable ramrod stuck in underneath. There's still some black gunpowder in the barrel. The rifle is 141cm long and weighs just over 3kg. The rifle has real patina in my view, and must be old. It has been used, as there are still traces of gunpowder in the barrel and the wood behind the nipple has been burnt away by the mercury used in percussion caps. The ramrod goes all the way down the barrel with a couple of inches left at the top to hold. The nipple is hollow as it should be. I did some reading on Jezails, and the lock may or may not be British made. The trigger and trigger guard look like crude replacements, or suggest local production.

The question is whether this is likely an Afghan Jezail, or were they also made and used in other areas like India and North Africa (Sudan)? Could it have been used by muslim Indian troops in the British Army?

Royston · 18th January 2018, 10:25 PM

Is it a Whitworth rifle that has been "localised"?

Roy

Roland_M · 19th January 2018, 07:59 AM

Hi Victrix,

this video might be interesting for you and a rifled barrel is a good sign.

Afghan Jezail on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-aEWZrTibE

Roland

Victrix · 19th January 2018, 05:08 PM

Thanks for your comments. Interesting video, Roland. These are interesting guns from both historical and ethnical perspectives. It’s a pity they seem fairly unappreciated by collectors when they are handmade and apparently fairly effective in use.

I post some more photos below.

Victrix · 20th January 2018, 12:48 PM

I might try this bedouin dance. It looks fun!

Pukka Bundook · 20th January 2018, 03:42 PM

Hello Victrix,

I saw these dance photos a while ago. I think it will be very hard on the carpet!

Your rifle looks a good and very solid piece!, and it Is unusual to see a rifled bore. Many of these seem to have round barrels as well, so nice to see something a little different for a change.
There is a possibility that an arm of this type May have been used by irregular troops attached to British forces, (In the same way as many irregulars in India still carried their matchlocks)
Native troops in EIC or British Regular regiments would be armed with British made arms.
I see the ticket has it down as a hexagonal barrel,..... :-)

rickystl · 20th January 2018, 06:47 PM

Hi Victrix

In my view this is an Afghan made Jezail. And a nice unmolested example that shows definate field use, yet still very solid as Richard mentions.
These Jazails were locally made utilizing a combination of surplus and locally made parts as you surmised. They were probably used by the locals all the way to at least the 1880's. And you will find them in any combination of flintlock or percussion and rifled or smooth bore barrels.
The Jazails have a colorful history and must have been very popular in the Region as there are so many examples still available today. If you search the Forum you can find previous discussions as to the reasons for the unusual butt stock design.
Again, a nice piece.

Rick

18th January 2018, 08:44 PM	#1
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 710	Another Afghan Jezail? This is an antique rifle given to me as a gift 20 years ago, and I always wondered what it was. It was purchased from an antiques shop on Eton High Street (Berkshire, England). The seller said it “was used by British troops in the Sudan.” Recently I saw pictures of similar objects identified as Afghan jezail. It has a functioning percussion lock stamped with a British crown and "Tower 1870." It has a scrolled hexagon barrel with a detachable ramrod stuck in underneath. There's still some black gunpowder in the barrel. The rifle is 141cm long and weighs just over 3kg. The rifle has real patina in my view, and must be old. It has been used, as there are still traces of gunpowder in the barrel and the wood behind the nipple has been burnt away by the mercury used in percussion caps. The ramrod goes all the way down the barrel with a couple of inches left at the top to hold. The nipple is hollow as it should be. I did some reading on Jezails, and the lock may or may not be British made. The trigger and trigger guard look like crude replacements, or suggest local production. The question is whether this is likely an Afghan Jezail, or were they also made and used in other areas like India and North Africa (Sudan)? Could it have been used by muslim Indian troops in the British Army? Attached Images

19th January 2018, 05:08 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 710	Thanks for your comments. Interesting video, Roland. These are interesting guns from both historical and ethnical perspectives. It’s a pity they seem fairly unappreciated by collectors when they are handmade and apparently fairly effective in use. I post some more photos below. Attached Images

20th January 2018, 12:48 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 710	I might try this bedouin dance. It looks fun! Attached Images Last edited by Victrix; 20th January 2018 at 01:01 PM.

18th January 2018, 10:25 PM	#2
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Is it a Whitworth rifle that has been "localised"? Roy

19th January 2018, 07:59 AM	#3
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Hi Victrix, this video might be interesting for you and a rifled barrel is a good sign. Afghan Jezail on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-aEWZrTibE Roland

20th January 2018, 03:42 PM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Hello Victrix, I saw these dance photos a while ago. I think it will be very hard on the carpet! Your rifle looks a good and very solid piece!, and it Is unusual to see a rifled bore. Many of these seem to have round barrels as well, so nice to see something a little different for a change. There is a possibility that an arm of this type May have been used by irregular troops attached to British forces, (In the same way as many irregulars in India still carried their matchlocks) Native troops in EIC or British Regular regiments would be armed with British made arms. I see the ticket has it down as a hexagonal barrel,..... :-)

20th January 2018, 06:47 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Victrix In my view this is an Afghan made Jezail. And a nice unmolested example that shows definate field use, yet still very solid as Richard mentions. These Jazails were locally made utilizing a combination of surplus and locally made parts as you surmised. They were probably used by the locals all the way to at least the 1880's. And you will find them in any combination of flintlock or percussion and rifled or smooth bore barrels. The Jazails have a colorful history and must have been very popular in the Region as there are so many examples still available today. If you search the Forum you can find previous discussions as to the reasons for the unusual butt stock design. Again, a nice piece. Rick