Omani barrel.

kahnjar1 · 18th August 2015, 08:56 PM

The other thing about Omani barrels, is that they are all of the same intricate design, and not just a plain tube with minimal decoration as seen on most other "ethnic" long guns.
Ibrahiim has posted pics in the past of many barrels which he has, and these are all of the same design as those featured here.
As Richard observes, why mount a beautiful barrel on a relatively plain stock?
Stu

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th August 2015, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

The other thing about Omani barrels, is that they are all of the same intricate design, and not just a plain tube with minimal decoration as seen on most other "ethnic" long guns.
Ibrahiim has posted pics in the past of many barrels which he has, and these are all of the same design as those featured here.
As Richard observes, why mount a beautiful barrel on a relatively plain stock?
Stu

Salaams kahnjar1 ~ That is also an interesting question. The plain wood used appears to be acacia; It is actually a nice timber and polishes well see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia ...the common desert thorn tree wood. Sometimes the woodwork at the Butt is wrapped in wolf skin...a Talisman treatment protecting the firer from evil spirits...I think the answer is plain basic necessity.

The trend in Ibaathi Oman was no nonsense practical with little high decoration...There was little that anyone could point to as ostentatious and gold decoration was somewhat considered as "over the top"..

The barrels are all imported mainly from Persia though it has been claimed that German barrels may also be in the mixture. There is a degree of showmanship in all these weapons in that largely they were for show and for parading in front of VIP s...

How many of these weapons were fired in anger is questionable..and experts in this field Icoman have mentioned this on passing. See http://www.klm-mra.be/icomam/downloads/issue07.pdf

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Pukka Bundook · 19th August 2015, 02:24 PM

Good morning Ibrahiim,

Thank you for the link in your first post of this thread, It is Very interesting!

From the forts to the date -palms and their uses, to the falaj/aelaj, to silver work. Time flew by as I read through it.
Thank you again.
Also, thank you for the 'new' link that I have yet to read.

As these barrels were mainly made in Persia, do they also show up on Persian arms? Logic would dictate so, but logic does not always apply.

I gather by what you say, that the stamps at the breech and tang are those of the barrel maker. Thank you for that.
RE. use;
I have seen barrels of this type where the touch-holes and pan are quite eroded from gasses, so it would appear some were used quite heavily.
Whether this was at festivities or what I have no way of telling!

Thanks again,
Richard.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th August 2015, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Good morning Ibrahiim,

Thank you for the link in your first post of this thread, It is Very interesting!

From the forts to the date -palms and their uses, to the falaj/aelaj, to silver work. Time flew by as I read through it.
Thank you again.
Also, thank you for the 'new' link that I have yet to read.

As these barrels were mainly made in Persia, do they also show up on Persian arms? Logic would dictate so, but logic does not always apply.

I gather by what you say, that the stamps at the breech and tang are those of the barrel maker. Thank you for that.
RE. use;
I have seen barrels of this type where the touch-holes and pan are quite eroded from gasses, so it would appear some were used quite heavily.
Whether this was at festivities or what I have no way of telling!

Thanks again,
Richard.

Salaams Pukka Bundook...Im on a shocking computer in Doha airport...and on my way to Casablanca...yes the worn touch hole means lots of use..was it hunting...or fighting? or pageant or all of these? A lot of these barrels blew up...separated at the first barrel joint...likely through too much or the wrong powder being used... probably modern powder...

Regards,

Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

BANDOOK · 20th August 2015, 12:22 PM

Saalam Ibhraahim,enjoy your morrocon trip,please post pictures of the souks selling morrocon arms,guess lots must be tourists stuff,but u will see originals too,now the moroccon govt does not allow exports and are protected,so I was told,cheers rajesh

Pukka Bundook · 21st August 2015, 03:07 PM

Dear Ibrahiim,

thank you for taking the trouble to reply with less than best equipment at the airport!

It appears a little unusual to me that a percentage of these barrels bust at 'the first joint' as pressure is rather low away from the breech.
I wonder if they were made more for ornament than for use?
If they were burst with modern powder of some kind, this would mean continued use, maybe at celebrations and the like.
Are you aware of any used in this manner?

It would appear that my title is miss-leading, as these barrels appear Persian & not Omani at all.

I have been searching on-line for Persian arms of this type, but found little.
Maybe I should catch up with Manouchehr again..........it has been a long time since we spoke!
One further question if I may;
The two stamps on the tang of the barrel; are these names?.....or maker's marks?

Thank you for your time,

Kind regards,
Richard.

David R · 21st August 2015, 06:38 PM

Bursting is often caused by a blockage rather than overloading. I would suspect multiple loads, as in the shooter didn't realise the previous one had not gone off............ I loaned a musket out to an inexperienced shooter for a re-enactment once, never again. I had to extract 3 unfired blank rounds when I got it back off him.

19th August 2015, 02:24 PM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Good morning Ibrahiim, Thank you for the link in your first post of this thread, It is Very interesting! From the forts to the date -palms and their uses, to the falaj/aelaj, to silver work. Time flew by as I read through it. Thank you again. Also, thank you for the 'new' link that I have yet to read. As these barrels were mainly made in Persia, do they also show up on Persian arms? Logic would dictate so, but logic does not always apply. I gather by what you say, that the stamps at the breech and tang are those of the barrel maker. Thank you for that. RE. use; I have seen barrels of this type where the touch-holes and pan are quite eroded from gasses, so it would appear some were used quite heavily. Whether this was at festivities or what I have no way of telling! Thanks again, Richard. Last edited by Pukka Bundook; 19th August 2015 at 02:25 PM. Reason: dis-jointed word/s.

18th August 2015, 08:56 PM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	The other thing about Omani barrels, is that they are all of the same intricate design, and not just a plain tube with minimal decoration as seen on most other "ethnic" long guns. Ibrahiim has posted pics in the past of many barrels which he has, and these are all of the same design as those featured here. As Richard observes, why mount a beautiful barrel on a relatively plain stock? Stu

20th August 2015, 12:22 PM	#5
BANDOOK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Posts: 627	Saalam Ibhraahim,enjoy your morrocon trip,please post pictures of the souks selling morrocon arms,guess lots must be tourists stuff,but u will see originals too,now the moroccon govt does not allow exports and are protected,so I was told,cheers rajesh

21st August 2015, 03:07 PM	#6
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Dear Ibrahiim, thank you for taking the trouble to reply with less than best equipment at the airport! It appears a little unusual to me that a percentage of these barrels bust at 'the first joint' as pressure is rather low away from the breech. I wonder if they were made more for ornament than for use? If they were burst with modern powder of some kind, this would mean continued use, maybe at celebrations and the like. Are you aware of any used in this manner? It would appear that my title is miss-leading, as these barrels appear Persian & not Omani at all. I have been searching on-line for Persian arms of this type, but found little. Maybe I should catch up with Manouchehr again..........it has been a long time since we spoke! One further question if I may; The two stamps on the tang of the barrel; are these names?.....or maker's marks? Thank you for your time, Kind regards, Richard.

21st August 2015, 06:38 PM	#7
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,120	Bursting is often caused by a blockage rather than overloading. I would suspect multiple loads, as in the shooter didn't realise the previous one had not gone off............ I loaned a musket out to an inexperienced shooter for a re-enactment once, never again. I had to extract 3 unfired blank rounds when I got it back off him.