Boyliya with Albanian lock

[rickystl]

Hi Gusko

That is a very nice looking Balkan musket. I see a mixture of both Ottoman and Boyliya styling with this one. Which would not be too surprising.
Many attribute the Boyliya styling to Bulgaria. And I'm leaning more in that direction with with this gun due to it's decoration and metal sheathing towards the muzzle end of the stock.

The lock has to be one of the most utilized throughout the Balkan gun making centers. This style of miquelet lock seems to show up on all kinds of guns throughout the Empire. Almost every musket and pistol from Albania that I've seen uses this same Balkan lock. Ditto the Boyliyas. I can tell you from a shooter's experience that the lock works well and is very reliable. Must be the reason for it's wide spread use.

Anyway, neat gun. I really like it. Thanks for posting. Here is a close-up of your lock:

Rick