C1790 Turkish Ottoman / Arabic Form 22 Bore Miquelet Lock / Early Flintlock Pistol With Ottoman / Arabic Marks. Sn 21393:21 With Ottoman / Arabic Marks. Sn 21393:21 20 Bore/gauge Muzzleloader

C1790 Turkish Ottoman / Arabic Form 22 Bore Miquelet Lock / Early Flintlock Pistol With Ottoman / Arabic Marks. Sn 21393:21 - 21393:21

Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in the English-speaking world, for a type of firing mechanism used in muskets and pistols. It is a distinctive form of snaplock, originally as a flint-against-steel ignition form, once prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, the Ottoman Empire and throughout Spain's colonies from the late 16th to the mid 19th Centuries. The miquelet may have come to the attention of arms makers in Istanbul & North Africa via long-established trade routes from Italian city-states through the port of Ragusa (Dubrovnik) to provinces on the Balkan Peninsula. Other avenues were probably provided by booty from corsair raids and/or from the many Ottoman-Euro conflicts of the period. This is an attractive Turkish Ottoman / Arabic miquelet / early flintlock pistol. It is 17”overall with a 12” iron barrel which has cast raised sections on the top possibly to assist aiming. The barrel near to the breech has what looks like an indistinct cartouche and faint scrolling Turkish or Arabic script. The barrel’s smooth bore has typical staining and residue consistent with age and use. It has a single brass barrel band. The all original wood full stock has just light bumps and bruises to be expected with age. The iron miquelet / early flintlock action has a ball finial trigger on the underside of the stock & it cocks & dry fires. The lock plate has what looks like a Turkish or Arabic cartouche highlighted in gold. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique muzzle loading pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21393:21

£695.00