Moukhala Rifle

[mjamerks]

Originally Posted by ariel

Well, I have no idea abour guns, but...


What is this strange sword you have on the wall, the one between the Nimcha and the 1881 Russian shashka ?
Can I entice you to provide better pics?

Hi Ariel

Good eyes you have.
I posted a new thread with pics.

Rgds
Martin

[Navigator]

Outstanding rifle!
Are you going to fire it?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Navigator

Outstanding rifle!
Are you going to fire it?

Welcome to the forum Navigator!!!
Thank you for posting....tell us about your interests, are you a gun collector?
Best regards,
Jim

[Navigator]

Hi Jim,
I do have the collector gene.
But my strongest interests are in Philippine ethnic art.
I lived six years in the Philippines and travelled in the Cordillera as both an anthropology student and amateur photographer.
I have a modest collection of weavings, carvings, basketry, and weapons from the Cordillera and perhaps a dozen Kris from Mindanao.

[Jim McDougall]

OK, I guess our gun experts are on vacation and nobody else wants to dance....I know little about guns, but decided to hit the books.

Apparantly these interesting Kabyle guns are termed the Kabyle miguelet or moukalla (these other terms such as miguelet etc.are apparantly often in dispute, but moukalla is the locally used term). While references claim that Italian locks were often supplied to the Kabyles (these guns were in use from the 17th century) it does appear this is a native version of the locks which I believe are termed an ajujeta lock (Arab toe lock). These are modified versions that are said to correspond loosely to the Ripoll (Catalonia) style miguelet locks.
These guns usually fired in about .67 cal. range, and usually had about up to twelve 'capucines' (silver bands) around the barrel.

While I was not yet able to discover the specifics on significance or meaning of the corals, it does seem that these were used extensively to decorate weapons and trappings with the Ottomans, who referred to this type of decoration as 'cezayir isi' (Elgood, p.76). Many flintlock pistols were made in France (St. Etienne) for export to Algeria with profusely applied coral decoration. The French Copmpagnie d'Afrique in Tunisia and eastern Algeria supplied the coral.

This looks like a splendid example of late 19th century moukhala, and likely served well in regions in Kabylia into the struggles there into the 20th century. The flintlock was often a favored weapon in remote tribal regions as they remained servicable where cartridge weapons supplies were often unobtainable.

The illustrations are an Ottoman hilt profuse with coral decoration and a Kabyle warrior of 19th c. with his moukalla and familiar flyssa. This example does not have the recognizable trumpet shaped butt however.

[Gavin Nugent]

Nice peices Martin and great data Jim.

Jim, for a man who doesn't know guns you certainly made an entrance with that post. I have never studied firearms of any kind. I shot a lot but that is as far as the romance goes. I'd be interested to see what Philip brings to the table if he catches this thread.

What I like about these long arms and in in particular what Martin shows in the images, is that that display well and are of impressive proportions. I have read in historical accounts of the deadly long range capabilities of these rifles where lesser modern carbines stood no chance at a distance.
I can only imagine the charge needed to hurl a large calibre shot down those long barrels over such distance, which brings me to an interesting point, these old barrels must have been well proofed to withstand the charge of the shot and the harsh climates and situations they faced even though they are not over heated to the extent as repeating arms are.
Equally as interesting as Jim notes, is how simplicity in the action kept these alive for so long where modern arms would eventually have no use due to lack of cartridges.

The ivory stock and the coral, especially the size of the ivory stock I like very much.

Martin, I'd be interested in seeing the other or others to compare varieties.

Gav

PS, I must add, there are the circle motifs previously discussed at length.

[mjamerks]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Nice peices Martin and great data Jim.

Jim, for a man who doesn't know guns you certainly made an entrance with that post. I have never studied firearms of any kind. I shot a lot but that is as far as the romance goes. I'd be interested to see what Philip brings to the table if he catches this thread.

What I like about these long arms and in in particular what Martin shows in the images, is that that display well and are of impressive proportions. I have read in historical accounts of the deadly long range capabilities of these rifles where lesser modern carbines stood no chance at a distance.
I can only imagine the charge needed to hurl a large calibre shot down those long barrels over such distance, which brings me to an interesting point, these old barrels must have been well proofed to withstand the charge of the shot and the harsh climates and situations they faced even though they are not over heated to the extent as repeating arms are.
Equally as interesting as Jim notes, is how simplicity in the action kept these alive for so long where modern arms would eventually have no use due to lack of cartridges.

The ivory stock and the coral, especially the size of the ivory stock I like very much.

Martin, I'd be interested in seeing the other or others to compare varieties.

Gav

PS, I must add, there are the circle motifs previously discussed at length.

Hi Gav

hereby some pics of the other rifles.
The second one from the top is an Algerian miquelet rifle with signed octogonal barrel.
Great lock.

Rgds

Martin

[fernando]

I have once read that the shape of the butt like in Martin's example, is intended to allow the gun to stand upright on the ground, to facilitate its barrel loading while the user stays mounted.
Fernando

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by mjamerks

Hi Gav

hereby some pics of the other rifles.
The second one from the top is an Algerian miquelet rifle with signed octogonal barrel.
Great lock.

Rgds

Martin

Hello everyone. I am also NEW on this Forum. Martin: Absolutely GREAT looking Moukhala Rifle with Snaphaunce lock. I have one similar, but plain and mostly undecorated. But in very good solid condition. Since mine was plain and I bought it at a good price, I sent the barrel to Bob Hoyt in Pennsylvania and had a barrel liner installed. I still have to re-assemble it, then it will be in safe shooting condition. I will post pictures at a later date here. I have other Islamic arms - in shooting condition.
Martin: That is a GREAT looking Algerian miquelet lock rifle. I'm looking for one myself, but no luck yet. Thanks for sharing your collection. I'm still wiping the drual off my mouth.

[mjamerks]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

OK, I guess our gun experts are on vacation and nobody else wants to dance....I know little about guns, but decided to hit the books.

Apparantly these interesting Kabyle guns are termed the Kabyle miguelet or moukalla (these other terms such as miguelet etc.are apparantly often in dispute, but moukalla is the locally used term). While references claim that Italian locks were often supplied to the Kabyles (these guns were in use from the 17th century) it does appear this is a native version of the locks which I believe are termed an ajujeta lock (Arab toe lock). These are modified versions that are said to correspond loosely to the Ripoll (Catalonia) style miguelet locks.
These guns usually fired in about .67 cal. range, and usually had about up to twelve 'capucines' (silver bands) around the barrel.

While I was not yet able to discover the specifics on significance or meaning of the corals, it does seem that these were used extensively to decorate weapons and trappings with the Ottomans, who referred to this type of decoration as 'cezayir isi' (Elgood, p.76). Many flintlock pistols were made in France (St. Etienne) for export to Algeria with profusely applied coral decoration. The French Copmpagnie d'Afrique in Tunisia and eastern Algeria supplied the coral.

This looks like a splendid example of late 19th century moukhala, and likely served well in regions in Kabylia into the struggles there into the 20th century. The flintlock was often a favored weapon in remote tribal regions as they remained servicable where cartridge weapons supplies were often unobtainable.

The illustrations are an Ottoman hilt profuse with coral decoration and a Kabyle warrior of 19th c. with his moukalla and familiar flyssa. This example does not have the recognizable trumpet shaped butt however.

Thanks for this info Jim.

I was also wondering what the meaning is of all the red and black circles on the back of the ivory butt.
HIts?????

Rgds

Martin

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Martin,
Excellent reminder, forgot those! These are basically a solar oriented symbol that is well known ethnographically in many cultures, but is very well known in many Saharan regions. As seen here it is primarily used as motif, but is sometimes suggested as having either talismanic or other significance. It could be perceived in some cases as protection for the owner from the evil eye, but it is pretty hard to interpret that perspective.

Really a great gun!!!

All the best,
Jim