Original Indian - Afghan Frontier Brass Clad Flintlock Jezail Musket with British EIC Brown Bess Rampant Lion Lock Dated 1810

Original Item: Only One Available. The Jezail (sometimes Jezzail from the Arabic / Pashto جزایل, for "long [barrels]") is a simple, cost-efficient and typically handmade muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in the Middle East region in the past. These were all highly personalized, so no two were alike. They were often made with locally available locks, so it was common to see locks on these that were of varied origin.

Offered here is a most attractive and relatively unusual Flintlock Jezail Musket. Often used by the Mountain Bandits of the Balkans, these Miquelet Jezail Muskets were used all over the Greek peninsula and across the Middle East. This particular example is from the North-West Frontier region of the British Indian Empire, bordering the Afghan regions. This area, present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is s mountainous region was on the border between the Indian regions and what today is Afghanistan, and home to the famous Khyber pass through the mountains. There were many skilled artisans in this area, who later in the 19th century would produce many replicated British weapons, based on examples captured from British forces.

This jezail actually features a genuine British East India Company flint lock from Brown Bess, which is rare in its own right. It features the EIC "Rampant Lion" in the center of the lock, and close examination shows that it is definitely a British made example. It is also dated 1810 on the lock plate tail, and has a CROWN / 2 proof mark under the flash pan. The lock does have the frizzen support bridle, and has a "Swan Neck" cock, which were done away with shortly after the lock was made.

Like many jezails of the area, the stock and barrel are clad with sheet metal, in this case brass, covering more than 50% of the wooden stock. These are lightly embossed and definitely completely handmade without the assistance of any type of "modern" fixtures. The butt stock has many small brass ornaments, as well as some circular mother of pearl inlays, which are very well executed. The butt is highly curved, and features a thick horn butt pad on the end. There are two hand made sling swivels, one made from brass on the fore stock and one from steel on the trigger guard. Attached to this is an original sling, which features brass buttons, including one with an Indian design on the top.

The Jezail measures 56" in overall length, and the barrel alone is 40 3/4" long. It still has a ramrod, which can be removed but is most likely just for decoration. We can see a hole through the stock in a brass fitting just in front of the lock, which may originally have been for some kind of mounting yoke. There are not any markings on the gun aside from those on the lock. The barrel has a very interesting pattern on the exterior, which we originally thought may be hand-tooling, but it looks more likely that it is a crucible steel barrel, made of something similar to "Damascus" steel, with some engraved designs present.

In all a very romantic long gun that were said be be very accurate despite being smooth bore. The lock is still functional, however it the tumbler is worn and does not hold at half cock. This item is for DISPLAY ONLY and should not be fired.

Truly impressive and a great Display piece, probably 180+ years old, with a lock that is even older. Fully cleaned and ready to hang on the wall!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1820-1830
Caliber: approx .54 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 40 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 56 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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