Musketeers/ Rifleholders

[fernando]

Hi Rand
Once there is no misinterpretation with the date, i must say i am deeply impressed.
In 1821, much prior to the adoption of percussion by Military forces, namely British ( 1836/9 ), only hunting guns would have percussion actions and, even those, only pertaining to big shots, right?
It really is intriguing how such lock has shown up in Persia.

[rand]

Hey Fernando,

In double checking data found one opinion was only 1235 and the other 1235/1821. Am now making inquires to confirm Christan date of 1821 for sure.

The Persian calendar is based on the solar calendar and they consider themselves to be decendant from the sun. While the Muslim calendar is based on a shorter lunar cycle and the consider themselves decendant from the moon. This is a basic difference between the two cultures, aside from creed and language. Both calendars start at the Hijera, when Muhammad emigrated from Medinna to Mecca in 622.

The Persian calendar you basically add 622 to equal the Christan calendar. The Muslim (Hejira), you subtract .03% then add 622 for the Christian equivalant. The Persian calendar begins the first day of Spring, Assume thats the reason for the one year varience.

The Persian calendar was reformed in 1925 and am not sure how it relates to earlier dates.

If the 1821 date holds up this firearm will be a very early Persian example of a percussion lock.

Its hard to judge from photo's, but am quite sure the lock and trigger are European manufacture and not an Islamic copy. The types of tools marks, gold application technique and use of pins are the leading indications of being from Europe.

This rifle looks to be a large bore hunting rifle with good weight to it, you would want a bipod or shoulder to rest it on.

Thought that was a really good question about date,

rand

[rand]

Hey Fernando,

Just got a preliminary answer to the date question.

Quote....

"The pieces of arms and armor from the Timurid, Safavid, Afshar, Zand, and Qajar periods I have seen are all dated with hegira calendar.
Selected items are dated with Persian calendar but not arms and armor."
Manouchehr M.

So the 1821 Christian calendar date holds true fro the Persian percussion rifle....

Now I just need to find verification on what the metaphors mean. Persians spoke with verses of poetry that were metaphors, am still looking for a reference of metaphors for Persians poems.

rand

rand

[rand]

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Rand
Once there is no misinterpretation with the date, i must say i am deeply impressed.
In 1821, much prior to the adoption of percussion by Military forces, namely British ( 1836/9 ), only hunting guns would have percussion actions and, even those, only pertaining to big shots, right?
It really is intriguing how such lock has shown up in Persia.

Hey Fernando,

Have to totally agree with you on the point about it being surprising to find this persussion lock on an a Persian arm of this date. Think we can agree that this Persian rifle is of very high quality and this may be a clue as to why this lock shows up at this early date. This certainly would be considered the best lock available at the time of manufacture and use.

The closeup photos do not do the gun justice as they wash out the true color. The pictures from a distance give you a much better impression of the rifle true appearance.

This is a large bore, rifled, long barreled firearm that has seen very little use. What wear there is on it appears to be mostly from cleaning, the gold inlay was originally thicker on the barrel is now at the surface level and the raised gold application on the ramrod worn to where you can see the incised groves for inlay and border of inlay.

rand

[rand]

The percussion system was invented in 1807 by Rev Foresythe but was not perfected until 1814. Add travel time and its gets even more interesting.

The percussion lock was made possible after a Scot invented the percussion cap. Its said the the flintlock would fire seven out of ten times, the percussion cap virtually 100% firing, gunsmiths immedialy saw the benefits of the percussion lock.

http://www.floridareenactorsonline.c...ockbarrell.htm

Above is a brief history of the rifle....


rand

[rand]

This is a quote from the London Magazine, by John Scott, John Taylor about the New Percussion lock.

"New Percussion Lock

Mr Forrest, gun-maker, in Jedurgh, has lately contrived a percussion lock, which with a double barrelled shorgun will answer for eighty discharges, with scarcely and further trouble than merely filling the magazine before setting out. by the intervention of a cyclinder bewtixt the pan and the magazine, on turning which a pan is filled, all communication with the gunpowder is cut off; for whatever position the cycinder is placed, the priming in the magazine is never brought in contact with the powder; all possibility of accident is thus prevented; that with the greatest carelessness there is no danger. The priming is the same as that is used with Forsythes lock, three parts of superoxymuriate of potash,one of flowers of sulpher, and one of charcoal."

rand

[rand]

The following is a quote form "A Dictionary of Military History", edited by Andre Corvisier.

"Following Howard's discovery of fulminate of mercury in 1800, firearms developed percussion systems to replace the flintlock. Percussion sporting guns were in common use by 1820 but not until 1838 did the British army begin to replace its flintlocks with percussion locks, the Pattern 1838. Most European armies adopted the new device during the 1840's. "

rand

[rand]

The discovery of fulminate of mercury by Howard followed by a Scots invention of the percussion cap, which then opened the door for Forsythes invention of the percussion lock shows the process for the evolution of the percussion lock.

And we have reference for how dependable this new lock(percussion) was considered at the time of use.

This lock was so successful that within a span of 25 years European armies adopted it by both retrofit or reissue of new arms to its soldiers.

The percussion lock on this Persian firearm has a rifled barrel so the term rifle aptly fits this weapon.

It has a very long heavy barrel similar to what the plains rifles in the USA was that was developed for the heavier game of settlers heading West, bison, bear, elk and so forth. The larger projectile would also not deflect as easily when shot through brush as its lighter Kentucky rifle counterpart would.

rand

[rand]

Had just received an opinion that the lock was Persian manufacture and dating to about 1845. So took more photo's relating to decoration near hammer on lock and when looking at new photo's enlarged on computer found a signature on the lock! Believe its most likely to be Farsi.

Not sure if gun was made with this lock at date of 1820 that is on barrel, which would certainly be possible. If lock would have put on later the firearm would have needed to have had a flintlock instead of a miquelet lock, that wouldn't be in the Persian taste in 1820 and seems unlikely.

What a fun puzzle to ponder...

rand