Estimate

£200 - £250

Indo-Arabic machlock, 18th Century, with 44" inch octagonal sighted iron barrel having a slightly swamped muzzle, with scroll-decorated breech with traces of silver inlay. At the muzzle end of the scrollwork is the maker's mark in the form of a pointed recess resembling church steeple. Iron pan with hinged cover, full stocked with two silver barrel bands, the breech area and butt heavily decorated with embossed silver panels, bands and discs. Fitted with a large ball shaped wooden butt housing which would have been covered in padding, usually goatskin, tacked to the butt. There are a few traces of pinned skin remaining but such covers were not supposed to be permanent and would be replaced when worn through. Possibly missing barrel band at the breach. Overall length 58" inches. It is typical of those made on the west coast of India for the Arab traders, and was particularly popular with the southern Yemenis, who used them when raiding down the east coast of Africa.