Victorian Era Indian / Afghan North West Frontier 20 Bore Flintlock Jezail Carbine With Late 1700’s / Early 1800’s Georgian Enfield Tower Brown Bess Musket Lock, Wood Stock Ornately Decorated With Polished Bone & Brass Inlays. Sn 23666 jezail Muzzleloader 20 Bore/gauge Rifle

Victorian Era Indian / Afghan North West Frontier 20 Bore Flintlock Jezail Carbine With Late 1700’s / Early 1800’s Georgian Enfield Tower Brown Bess Musket Lock, Wood Stock Ornately Decorated With Polished Bone & Brass Inlays. Sn 23666 - 23666

The Jezail was a simple, cost-efficient and often handmade muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in British India, Central Asia and parts of the Middle East. Jezails were generally handmade weapons, and consequently they widely varied in their construction. Jezails were seen as very personal weapons, and unlike the typical military weapons of the time which were very plain and utilitarian, Jezails tended to be well crafted and were usually intricately decorated. Although Jezails commonly have very long barrels, they also made carbine size variants such as ours. The firing mechanism was typically either a matchlock or a flintlock. Since flintlock mechanisms were complex and difficult to manufacture, many Jezails used the lock mechanism from captured or broken British Brown Bess & other muskets. The stocks were handmade and ornately decorated, featuring a distinctive curve which is not seen in the stocks of other muskets. The function of this curve is debated; it may be purely decorative, or it may have allowed the Jezail to be tucked under the arm and cradled tightly against the body, as opposed to being held to the shoulder like a typical musket or rifle. During the Anglo Afghan Wars the Jezail was the primary ranged weapon of Afghan warriors and was used with great effect against British troops. This is an attractive carbine size Indian flintlock Jezail with Enfield Tower Georgian Brown Bess lock. It has a 21” long sighted iron barrel with brass barrel bands. The barrel is approx. 20 bore at the flared muzzle. The smooth bore has staining and residue consistent with age. It measures 36” overall length. The English Brown bess musket lock has its original ‘Tower’ and ‘Kings Crown GR’ (George Rex) markings (illustrated). Its wood stock is intricately hand inlaid with pieces of polished bone and brass strips. It has the typical Jezail curved butt. The wood and metal have the wear and patina to be expected of a native Indian weapon of its age. As is common with these native Jezails, the action’s hammer and trigger move under spring tension but it does not cock and dry fire. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique flintlock weapon no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 23666

£795.00