Product Details
A GOOD 20-BORE SNAPHAUNCE MOORISH JEZAIL,
circa 1880, with 50in. octagonal to round barrel, bulbous 'vase' muzzle, the octagonal section of barrel completely covered in silver koftgari scrolled panels with a further isolated panel approximately halfway along the round section (worn), bead fore-sight, standing notch rear-sight, squared top-tang with gilt koftgari scroll-work, flat snaphaunce lock with silver and gilt geometric inlays and stamped with a circular Arabic makers mark, hardwood full-stock profusely decorated with silver wire scrolls to the butt, contrasting wood and ivory heel-plate, the back of plate decorated with multi-chromatic geometric designs formed from small circles, iron trigger-guard bow and tang, three side nails with brass geometric escutcheons and silver wire inlaid arabic inscription, two embossed silver barrel-band and iron ramrod with faceted tip (iron surfaces stained and shallow pitted)
Other Notes: W.W. Greener, in his book 'The Gun and its Development' (page 228, 9th edition) pictures a near identical lock to that fitted to this arm with the foot-note: "Flint-lock made by Moorish Gunsmiths at the Authors Factory in 1885'. Whether this implies that the lock was actually produced in Greener's workshop or just possessed as a curio is not made clear. For a further example see lot 411.
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Estimate £400-600