An attractive and scarce old matchlock musket from the Yemen/Southern Arabia. The damascus barrel of exceptional craftsmanship having the upper section with raised ribbed flutes becoming ribbed with finer concave channels before becoming cylindrical for its central section. Stamped with several large marks at the forte. Inlaid with twisted silver at intervals and with chiselled decoration to the steel. Finely shaped sight and pan decorated with makara-like monsters heads. The wooden stock of typical shape retaining some original 'match' cord bound around the grip. The brass trigger shaped and pierced perhaps as an arabic character. Brass banding and mounting to the forestock, retaining an original leather strap and ramrod. Good condition. 62 inches approximately. These muskets are frequently misplaced as Central Asian or Persian, but the exceptional quality of the steel barrels isone typically characteristic feature. 18th or early 19th Century. $1395 |
