Arab? Musket

A.alnakkas · 7th September 2018, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Stu is right
I would even say it's an Indo Indo.
Probably Indian...

The stock addition is definitely Arab. These were smuggled and traded from India, to Muscat and then to Kuwait where they spread all over the gulf. I own an example similar to this one belonging to a Kuwaiti family for many generations.

kahnjar1 · 7th September 2018, 08:59 PM

I agree with Lofty in that the butt "pad" is an Arabian feature. Your gun though (on closer inspection) seems to show better than average decoration and brass work, which would perhaps suggest stronger Indian influence than Arabian.
Attached are a couple of pics (which have done the rounds before I think) showing alternative uses for these guns. I don't believe that they have put a man in space yet

Also one showing an Arabian dance..........

Kubur · 8th September 2018, 08:34 AM

After the two last posts I have to admit my ignorance, I didn't know about koweiti guns. I was assuming that it was Indian because it wasn't Omani or Yemeni... Very interesting thank you

kahnjar1 · 8th September 2018, 09:28 AM

Hi Kubur,
If you read Lofty's post carefully, he does not say that this gun is Kuwaiti, but rather that they ended up in Kuwait as well as other places, and originated from India amongst other places.
Stu

Kubur · 8th September 2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Kubur,
If you read Lofty's post carefully, he does not say that this gun is Kuwaiti, but rather that they ended up in Kuwait as well as other places, and originated from India amongst other places.
Stu

I did but your second photo convinced me that I might be wrong.
The thin and curve butt plate is very similar to the gun posted.
It's the nice thing with this forum: to pinpoint places and origins...

rickystl · 8th September 2018, 04:19 PM

Hi Snowman. Welcome to the Forum.

That's a nice looking Arab matchlock. (And I use the term Arab in a very generalized sense). As others mention, the decoration does remind one of South Indian influence. And that could be it's origin (?) But no telling where it ended up. LOL
I don't yet have one of these in my collection yet. But there is usually a variety that come up for auction throughout the year. Which gives you an idea of how long they were in use.
I've never really understood the purpose of the half-moon shaped wood butt caps on these guns. Even the latter, captured British pattern 1853 Enfield rifles were often altered in this manner. Curious.

A nice looking example.

Rick

mahratt · 8th September 2018, 05:29 PM

Rick, this is a very interesting question. I'm also interested at butt caps on these guns. Maybe someone knows?

colin henshaw · 8th September 2018, 05:39 PM

I've never really understood the purpose of the half-moon shaped wood butt caps on these guns.

I remember reading somewhere (maybe one of Freya Stark's books), that the large rounded wooden "pad" was to alleviate the very strong "kick" these guns had when fired. The recoil could be so hard as to throw the shooter to the ground, seemingly...

7th September 2018, 08:59 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	I agree with Lofty in that the butt "pad" is an Arabian feature. Your gun though (on closer inspection) seems to show better than average decoration and brass work, which would perhaps suggest stronger Indian influence than Arabian. Attached are a couple of pics (which have done the rounds before I think) showing alternative uses for these guns. I don't believe that they have put a man in space yet Also one showing an Arabian dance.......... Attached Images

8th September 2018, 08:34 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	After the two last posts I have to admit my ignorance, I didn't know about koweiti guns. I was assuming that it was Indian because it wasn't Omani or Yemeni... Very interesting thank you

8th September 2018, 09:28 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Hi Kubur, If you read Lofty's post carefully, he does not say that this gun is Kuwaiti, but rather that they ended up in Kuwait as well as other places, and originated from India amongst other places. Stu

8th September 2018, 04:19 PM	#6
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Snowman. Welcome to the Forum. That's a nice looking Arab matchlock. (And I use the term Arab in a very generalized sense). As others mention, the decoration does remind one of South Indian influence. And that could be it's origin (?) But no telling where it ended up. LOL I don't yet have one of these in my collection yet. But there is usually a variety that come up for auction throughout the year. Which gives you an idea of how long they were in use. I've never really understood the purpose of the half-moon shaped wood butt caps on these guns. Even the latter, captured British pattern 1853 Enfield rifles were often altered in this manner. Curious. A nice looking example. Rick

8th September 2018, 05:29 PM	#7
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Rick, this is a very interesting question. I'm also interested at butt caps on these guns. Maybe someone knows?

8th September 2018, 05:39 PM	#8
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	I've never really understood the purpose of the half-moon shaped wood butt caps on these guns. I remember reading somewhere (maybe one of Freya Stark's books), that the large rounded wooden "pad" was to alleviate the very strong "kick" these guns had when fired. The recoil could be so hard as to throw the shooter to the ground, seemingly...