Caucasian Miquelet Rifle

Norman McCormick · 4th March 2012, 07:51 PM

Hi Teodor,
Thanks for the additional interesting information, I did wonder about the decoration as the rifles I was able to find on the net were fitted out in a more lavish and extravagant fashion. I did think mine was a more workmanlike piece, which for me was not a negative, but the scenario re the Balkans would seem to be a plausible reason for this rifle to be plainer than normal. Thanks again.
Best Regards,
Norman.

Hi Fernando,
Message received, thanks.
Best Regards,
Norman.

rickystl · 3rd April 2012, 06:07 PM

Hi Norman. I've been away from the Forum for a couple months. Just now catching up on all the great gun Posts. That is a very interesting gun you have. My observations/opinions: 1) The stock is done in the Caucassan style, especially the butt area. 2) The barrel looks more Ottoman/Turkish in style. Especially the design of the rear sight and the barrel tang area. As well, the "bottom groove" rifling was most common (but not always) with Turk made barrels. Of course the barrel marking/translation may prove me wrong. Which just adds more interest to the gun. 3) The lock as mention above, looks more Balkan - even Persian - in style. 4) The bone inlays also look Turkish in style. Attached is a pic of a Ottoman Tufak Rifle I own. Note the similarity of the wrist inlays with yours.
I think Teodor offers a good plausible explanation. Maybe my comments will just add to the mystery?

Taken as a whole, this is a really neat gun. I wish I owned it. It's so very interesting. Congratulations. Let us know if you receive any translations, etc. Rick.

Norman McCormick · 5th April 2012, 07:09 PM

Hi Rick,
Many thanks for your appreciation and insights, I have had Zifir, our tireless resident Turkish translator, look at the barrel stamp but unfortunately it is not old Turkish and he is not able to give a translation so I'm afraid for the moment I'm in the dark. There doesn't seem to be many of these rifles about and I think I was quite lucky to snag this one. Thanks again.
My Regards,
Norman.

Dom · 5th April 2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

I have had Zifir, our tireless resident Turkish translator, look at the barrel stamp but unfortunately it is not old Turkish and he is not able to give a translation so I'm afraid for the moment I'm in the dark.

Hi Norman
the complete translation is difficult, I mean for my translator
because, as far as, the first word translated is "made by" (AMAL)
it's a name should come after ... a name; Georgian ? Turkish ?
only the first letter "A" it's readable by my translator,
not enough to imagine the complete name

à +

Dom

4th March 2012, 07:51 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Teodor, Thanks for the additional interesting information, I did wonder about the decoration as the rifles I was able to find on the net were fitted out in a more lavish and extravagant fashion. I did think mine was a more workmanlike piece, which for me was not a negative, but the scenario re the Balkans would seem to be a plausible reason for this rifle to be plainer than normal. Thanks again. Best Regards, Norman. Hi Fernando, Message received, thanks. Best Regards, Norman. Last edited by Norman McCormick; 4th March 2012 at 10:50 PM.

3rd April 2012, 06:07 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,632	Hi Norman. I've been away from the Forum for a couple months. Just now catching up on all the great gun Posts. That is a very interesting gun you have. My observations/opinions: 1) The stock is done in the Caucassan style, especially the butt area. 2) The barrel looks more Ottoman/Turkish in style. Especially the design of the rear sight and the barrel tang area. As well, the "bottom groove" rifling was most common (but not always) with Turk made barrels. Of course the barrel marking/translation may prove me wrong. Which just adds more interest to the gun. 3) The lock as mention above, looks more Balkan - even Persian - in style. 4) The bone inlays also look Turkish in style. Attached is a pic of a Ottoman Tufak Rifle I own. Note the similarity of the wrist inlays with yours. I think Teodor offers a good plausible explanation. Maybe my comments will just add to the mystery? Taken as a whole, this is a really neat gun. I wish I owned it. It's so very interesting. Congratulations. Let us know if you receive any translations, etc. Rick. Attached Images

5th April 2012, 07:09 PM	#3
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Rick, Many thanks for your appreciation and insights, I have had Zifir, our tireless resident Turkish translator, look at the barrel stamp but unfortunately it is not old Turkish and he is not able to give a translation so I'm afraid for the moment I'm in the dark. There doesn't seem to be many of these rifles about and I think I was quite lucky to snag this one. Thanks again. My Regards, Norman.