Frontier Arithmetic: The Afghan Jezail

Jim McDougall · 17th May 2025, 07:37 PM

Thank you Rick! especially for the kind words!

As you note, there would not have been much attraction to British barrels except perhaps in some incidental cases where such were all that was available. I only have cursory reading and knowledge in firearms, so very much appreciate your insights as Im well aware of your expertise.

Well made points on the barrels used by Afghans, and the advantage of smooth bores with the wider scope of ammunition used, and that these types of guns were good for certain warfare situations.

What I have always noted about these Khyber tribesmen is as noted in Kipling, the incredible marksmanship of these snipers. In the defile of the Khyber this seemed to have been one of the key factors of control and manner of that.
It seems I read in some reference that although there were a few examples of barrels that MIGHT have had Afghan origin, but that seemed speculative, and with that would have likely been artisans from the regions most came from.
With the locks however, it seems these were the component consistently used, and later copied profusely.

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17th May 2025, 07:37 PM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,278	Thank you Rick! especially for the kind words! As you note, there would not have been much attraction to British barrels except perhaps in some incidental cases where such were all that was available. I only have cursory reading and knowledge in firearms, so very much appreciate your insights as Im well aware of your expertise. Well made points on the barrels used by Afghans, and the advantage of smooth bores with the wider scope of ammunition used, and that these types of guns were good for certain warfare situations. What I have always noted about these Khyber tribesmen is as noted in Kipling, the incredible marksmanship of these snipers. In the defile of the Khyber this seemed to have been one of the key factors of control and manner of that. It seems I read in some reference that although there were a few examples of barrels that MIGHT have had Afghan origin, but that seemed speculative, and with that would have likely been artisans from the regions most came from. With the locks however, it seems these were the component consistently used, and later copied profusely.