Matchlock gun
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1700 - 1799
Materials
iron, wood, bone, silver, brass
Measurements
1160 mm (Length)1580 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Turkestan
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 347308
Caption
This matchlock musket, formerly described as originating from Turkistan, was examined by curators Fedor Panfilov and Sergei Orlenko, from Moscow Kremlin Museums in May 2015. They wrote in an e-mail dated 14 July 2015: ‘The notion of "Turkistan" as place of origin is quite vague, as it covers a very large historical region. However, this particular matchlock gun doesn't seem to be made in Central Asia or any Turcic regions. Instead it has striking resemblance with typical Tibetan guns. Matchlocks muskets, known as a me mda, existed in Tibet from sixteenth to the early twentieth century almost without changes in their construction and technology. The most noticeable feature of Tibetan matchlock is the two long slender prongs, or horns. They are attached to the horn block (the thicker rectangular section of wood on the underside of the fore-stock) by a transverse pin or screw. When in use the horns are swung down to rest on the ground and steady the aim of the shooter. When not in use they are generally folded up against the fore-stock with the ends projecting forward well beyond the muzzle. You can find more information in: Warriors of the Himalayas: Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of Tibet. LaRocca, Donald J., with essays by John Clarke, Amy Heller, and Lozang Jamspal (2006). P. 198-200, 201, 202-203, 206-207.’
Summary
Firearm. Matchlock long-gun, Turkestan, India, late 18th century
Full description
Matchlock long-gun, Turkestan, late 18th century. An unusual feature of this gun is the folding forked rest attached to the fore-stock. This was usually made of antelope horn. Round iron barrel with integral flash-pan, the breech and muzzle sections fluted and inset with silver bands. The breech with chiselled decoration and inlayed with a silver makers mark. Raised rear sight. Retained to the stock by 3 steel barrel bands. Barrel length: 116cm. Calibre 15mm. Wooden full stock with curved butt, inlaid with bone panels and banding in a decorative pattern. The forestock with folding A-shaped rest made of horn and iron with brass decoration. The lock of typical Indian construction, the iron match holder and blade trigger (with pierced decoration) concealed within the wooden stock. Overall length: 158cm