Jezail Matchlock Musket

A fine 19th C Afghan slender matchlock jezail. It has a hardwood stock and four silver repoussé work capucines tightening the barrel to the stock. This example seems orignally intended for a flintlock mechanism but later reconverted to matchlock. A common practice in the early days of foreign presence. Read Robert Elgood 'Firearms of the Islamic world' page 167. The barrel is an Omani 'Abu fitila' piece. The Omani rulers maintained good relations with the Baloch from Sindh. This specimen therefore most likely belonged to a Beloch tribesman rather than a Pashtu warrior. Condition is good with a restoration to the butt of the stock preventing the trigger mechanism from functioning. A lovely finish to the stock and with its original ramrod. 160cm overall.