Greek flintlock rifles

[kahnjar1]

Hi Stelio,
I agree with other comments above. VERY nice guns.
Stu

[stelio]

Thank you Stu!!!☺

[rickystl]

Hi Stelio.

YES!! Those are VERY nice Greek long guns. And appear in great condition.
My understanding is the only difference between the terms Kariofili and Rasak was depending on the Region of Greece you were standing in at the moment. Am I wrong ?

A question: Does the top gun actually have a BRASS lockplate ? Or is it brass covered ?

The Greeks did seem to prefer the traditional flintlock over the miquelet lock. And most I've seen do seem to confirm this. Although I have seen a few with the tradional Balkan style miquelet lock heavily favored on Albanian guns. The first Link posted by Kubur above shows a Greek long gun with a Bulgarian style miquelet lock (also Balkan made). Interesting. That's the only one I've seen using that lock pattern.

I still need one of these Greek long guns (and a pistol also) for my collection. They seem to evade me when they come up for sale.
But I'll eventually secure one.

Again, great looking guns Stelio.

Rick

[stelio]

Hello Rick and thank you! I hope you quickly get one in your collection my friend.
The word, however, that was throughout the Greek territory was a carriophile/ kariofili (καριοφίλι) and all the rest were just to stand out as I said above all the small things that they had to build each one.Rasak would say it was the word used in northern Balkans and not to Greece. Most Greek weapons bring European flintlocks but also a miqulete mechanism.
I think a special example of balkan rasak is the Bulgarian that type rasak with Bulgarian muqulet lock is very rare.
You are right, the first one has the bronze plate as well as the point that receives the powder.

stelios

[rickystl]

Hi Stelio.

OK. Thanks for your explanation of Kariofili versus Rasak. I've always wondered. LOL
That brass lockplate is also very interesting. Usually, you only see this feature on some special order European pistols or the occassional Amerian Kentucky/Pennsylvania style rifles. I've only seen one Balkan pistol with a brass lockplate. So this has to be a rare feature for this style of Greek long gun.
Again, two great looking pieces. By the way, thanks for the photos!! I'll add these to my library.

Rick

[stelio]

Hello Rick!!!!
Thank you very much my friend .
It has been observed that many Greek weapons have been altered in the second half of the 19th century by American flintlock mechanisms. Many mechanisms since the end of the American civil war have come to Greece and have taken the place of the old mechanism. So what many weapons will we see is much older than the mechanism they have.Do not forget that these weapons in their area have remained stable for many years.
There are cases where kariofilia/ rasak have a mechanism
Percussion locks and no flintlock.I would also like your opinion on another post for a leather Ottoman case, knowing your interest and your knowledge of Ottoman and Balkan weapons.

thank you


Stelios

[corrado26]

and here comes a Greek gun with iron mounts around lock and the stock, but with brass barrel rings out of my collection.
corrado26

[stelio]

Hi Corrado26.
Very nice your karıofil and in very good condition,quite unusual in the designs decorations.
Congratulations.

Best

Stelios