Two Arab ex-Enfield Pattern 1853 guns

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Ouch!!! claws in the butt!!
Im was hoping you would come in on this Ibrahiim!
Great note on the use of these materials as ballast. Interestingly the enormous volume of the glass beads which became trademark items in American Indian crafts were also ballast material.This again seems to represent the profound use of these otherwise common items from utility to decoration.
I wonder if there are characteristic motif in the decorative bands which might suggest any regional affinity?
Also, were there regions in Arabia which may have had more access to British guns than others? I have always been under the impression that flintlocks and even matchlocks were more prevalent in the more remote Bedouin tribes due to accessibility of ammunition and supplies. As we have discussed, trade from the Indian coastal regions in Sind brought considerable trade weapons to Muscat..perhaps obsolete British guns as well?

All the best,
Jim

Salaams Jim ~ I think you are correct on all counts however it is a fact that the old and tested systems ruled longest as put by the late Anthony North in his Islamic Arms treatise .. For that reason we still see a lot of abu futtila (the one with the match) matchlock gun barrels though there are a lot of Martini Henrys and Enfields some in very good order... favoured by Palace guards and the various official Muscat gendarmeries often under British control in the late 19th C. The Bedouin preferred Martini Henrys; barrels cut back about a foot removing nicely the bulky bayonet fitting whilst retaining the accuracy(amazingly) and lessening the weight! Ajman and Muscat star highly as import points; therefor in addition to weapons entering the market as palace guards weapons became obsolete(ie their old weapons were sold by the authorities to the souk) Muscat also attracted Martini Henrys, Enfields similar to the ones at thread and the later 303 black powder versions and other marks from all points of the compass.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much Ibrahiim, excellent information which gives good perspective on appreciating these ruggedly outstanding guns!

All the best,
Jim

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you so much Ibrahiim, excellent information which gives good perspective on appreciating these ruggedly outstanding guns!

All the best,
Jim

Salaams Jim ~ Interesting guns. The pin patterns may have some meaning to the originator and certainly on furniture chests there are set patterns so why not on guns?.. I feel that the pins may represent the round ball ammunition. I noticed that on the black weapon forward of the trigger there is a plate resembling a coat of arms and except from this that the two weapons have almost identical markings from the trigger forward. I note a strengthener of different material on the same weapon behind the trigger wrapped round the narrow part of the Butt as it has split previously.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Mefidk]

Not sure if it helps your discussion of the patterns and their significance, but here are a couple of pictures of the patterns you could not see before. One which is duplicated on all barrel bands on both guns, the other is forward of the trigger guard. The third picture is the non-studded gun same location - the best angle I have. If we need more pictures we will have to ask the new owner.

Chris

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Mefidk

Not sure if it helps your discussion of the patterns and their significance, but here are a couple of pictures of the patterns you could not see before. One which is duplicated on all barrel bands on both guns, the other is forward of the trigger guard. The third picture is the non-studded gun same location - the best angle I have. If we need more pictures we will have to ask the new owner.

Chris

Salaams Mefidk ~ I have to say Im about out of ammo at this point ! Interesting thread thanks..

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Mefidk]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Mefidk ~ I have to say Im about out of ammo at this point ! Interesting thread thanks..

Salaams Ibrahiim - well it was worth a shot
Chris

[rickystl]

Hello all. Entering this Thread a little late. Full disclosure: I am the new owner of the less decorated gun. And I feel fortunate to have been able to purchase it. These Saudi - Bedouin decorated guns are often hard to come by. Especially when the gun started out as a complete M1853 Enfield. As mentioned above, I am hard pressed to think of a percussion musket more widely used throughout the world as the British Enfield.
The gun is on it's way to my house as I write this. Can't wait to see it.
Mefidk: Feel free to Post any and all photos desired on the Forum.
Apparently, both of these guns have smooth bores vs the .577 rifled barrel. I believe the British did make some M1853 style barrels in smooth bore sent to the Indian continent? But I will try to verify this - maybe on the European Forum? I also seem to recall reading that many barrels in the Eastern continent were re-bored to smooth. The barrels on both of these guns due look genuine British with the exception of the replaced rear sight to suite local tastes. Even the ramrods look correct.
Mefidk: Thanks again for your willingness to part with one. I will try to reciprocate at some future point. Rick.