2 matchlocks from Oman

Hommine · 9th March 2008, 02:50 PM

Jim,

Thanks for your info!

In the book firearms of the world page 86 also by Elgood there is more information: "The omani barrels often came from India and persia". On page 86 there is also a photo with barrels form Oman around 1700. The type of barrel shown on the Elgood photo was 20 years ago the most common type of matchlock barrel in Oman.

There seems to be hard evidence that they are late 17th century or early 18th as an identical barrel with date is located in a museum in Shri Lanka. Maybe the find of that gun changed the dating assumptions.

Oman has been occupied by the persians and the portugese in the 17th / first part 18th century. I feel that my matchlock with the silver inlay is probably persian, based on design. The one with the brass inlays is probably indian based on design.

The matchlocks were replaced in Oman during the 1880's when fast amounts of Martini Henries were imported into Oman and smuggled to resistance fighters in India (fighting the British).

I am still interested in any other comments and suggestions.

e.g. Are there books that document the makerstamps you find in the barrels??

9th March 2008, 02:50 PM	#3
Hommine Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 21	Matchlocks Jim, Thanks for your info! In the book firearms of the world page 86 also by Elgood there is more information: "The omani barrels often came from India and persia". On page 86 there is also a photo with barrels form Oman around 1700. The type of barrel shown on the Elgood photo was 20 years ago the most common type of matchlock barrel in Oman. There seems to be hard evidence that they are late 17th century or early 18th as an identical barrel with date is located in a museum in Shri Lanka. Maybe the find of that gun changed the dating assumptions. Oman has been occupied by the persians and the portugese in the 17th / first part 18th century. I feel that my matchlock with the silver inlay is probably persian, based on design. The one with the brass inlays is probably indian based on design. The matchlocks were replaced in Oman during the 1880's when fast amounts of Martini Henries were imported into Oman and smuggled to resistance fighters in India (fighting the British). I am still interested in any other comments and suggestions. e.g. Are there books that document the makerstamps you find in the barrels??