Afghan Matchlock Musket

Here we have an Afghan jezail Khyber from the North-West Frontier with a characteristic applied rounded leather covered butt. A feature often seen on Arab muskets but some Afghan tribes favored this design too. The 18th century three-stage gun barrel is of Ottoman manufacture and made from pattern welded twisted steel. The muzzle is dome-shaped and borded with dots. It was common for Afghan tribes to look out for high quality barrels on the second hand market. Below are some 19th century pictures of Ushtarani and Sherani tribesmen holding similar guns. The territory of the Ushtarani lies south of that of the Sheranis, on the border between the Dera Ismael Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan districts, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (present day Pakistan). The rosewood stock is 19th century and decorated with brass strips. (one needs to be reattached) The barrel is bound to the stock by 14 brass capucines. The trigger is fretted. The condition of the matchlock is fair. Upon arrival it had a dark film over it so I gave it a gentle clean. The gun barrel is missing the pan as is a small piece of wood near the muzzle. The leather is worn and needs preservation. The ramrod is a replacement. The barrel is very good. 153cm overall and 112cm barrel.