Moukhala Rifle

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Philip

Hi, gang
Have been away from the forum awhile, just noticed this thread. Martin has so far posted a number of pics showing several guns from the Maghrib. Some clarification is in order.

1. The first gun on the thread is indeed Moroccan, called an "afedali" (Elgood, FIREARMS OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD, London 1995, quoting an early 20th c. French source), characterized by its broad flaring butt. Jim, the lock on this gun is not a so-called miquelet, rather it is a snaphaunce (schnapphahn), an early flint mechanism of Dutch origin. What's the difference? The miquelet has a large external mainspring and a combined, L-shaped frizzen and pan-cover. Its cock is released by a sear which moves horizontally through an aperture in the lockplate. The snaphaunce has an internal mainspring and sear, and the frizzen and pan-cover are entirely separate units. Whereas on a miquelet, the flint's striking the frizzen causes it to flip forward exposing the pan to the shower of sparks, the snaphaunce relies on an internal pushrod system to slide the pan-cover open automatically as the flint strikes the frizzen and pushes it up and forward out of the way of the pan.

2. Later, a picture of an Algerian gun was posted. These have elongated triangular butts, no trigger-guards, and miquelet locks. In the case of these, the miquelet is a particular type originating in Spain, sometime in the latter 16th cent., called "llave de agujeta". It saw only limited popularity in its homeland but was widely used in Algeria until the 20th cent. In the Iberian it was very soon superseded by the familiar "llave patilla" which is the type copied by the Ottomans. The difference: Agujeta locks have a complex sear system derived from wheellocks, and no half-cock detent (a manually-set dog catch acts as a safety). The patilla has a half-cock
setting which blocks the trigger, and its sear is simple and robust. In my experience, the agujeta locks of Algeria, though robust and well-made, are far less efficient. The sear easily works itself out of adjustment due to wear and tear, and the dog catch is a comparatively clumsy feature.

(for more information on Spanish miquelet history and types, see Jas. D. Lavin, A HISTORY OF SPANISH FIREARMS, NY, 1965)

Thanks Philip for the information. Most helpful. Do you know of any Internet forums that have collectors interested in these type of guns? Rick.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Thanks Philip for the information. Most helpful. Do you know of any Internet forums that have collectors interested in these type of guns? Rick.

Huh?!!!
I thought this WAS an internet forum.......what the heck are we, chopped liver???!!!! It seems like we have collectors here interested in these types of guns too....kinda what we were talking about.


Philip, outstanding clarification on the miguelet term, thank you so much for your detailed explanation....its great to have you back with us!!!

[Philip]

Jim,
Now I can go with some beef tongue on rye, with a side of kosher dills and sauerkraut, plus a bowl of "Jewish penicillin" containing a matzoh ball of planetary proportions with a dusting of cracked black pepper...

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Huh?!!!
I thought this WAS an internet forum.......what the heck are we, chopped liver???!!!! It seems like we have collectors here interested in these types of guns too....kinda what we were talking about.


Philip, outstanding clarification on the miguelet term, thank you so much for your detailed explanation....its great to have you back with us!!!

OK Jim. My bad choice of words What I should have said was: Does anyone know of additional Internet Sites that offer these types of guns for sale? Some one on this Forum might know one I have not seen yet.
Thanks again.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by rickystl

OK Jim. My bad choice of words What I should have said was: Does anyone know of additional Internet Sites that offer these types of guns for sale? Some one on this Forum might know one I have not seen yet.
Thanks again.

OK Ricky thats different and I probably could have worded my words better too ! Sorry
There are of course many sites online that sell guns of all kinds, many are dealers while there are countless auctions online. Once you're able, use the swap forum here to place requests describing what you're looking for. We cannot discuss commercial matters on this as it is a discussion forum, but
most everyone here with these interests will be glad to help anyway we can via private messages or emails.
Looking forward to your success and discussing your future acquisitions here!!!

All the best,
Jim

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

OK Ricky thats different and I probably could have worded my words better too ! Sorry
There are of course many sites online that sell guns of all kinds, many are dealers while there are countless auctions online. Once you're able, use the swap forum here to place requests describing what you're looking for. We cannot discuss commercial matters on this as it is a discussion forum, but
most everyone here with these interests will be glad to help anyway we can via private messages or emails.
Looking forward to your success and discussing your future acquisitions here!!!

All the best,
Jim

The Swap Forum!! Good idea. I'll keep looking. Thanks Jm. Rick.