Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this Ottoman Toe Lock Musket to the 18th Century.
The lock plate is brass-faced with a short Arabic inscription along the lower edge.
A richly decorated North African toe-lock musket, almost certainly Algerian and dating to the late 18th or early 19th century. This long gun reflects the fusion of Ottoman firearm design and Berber-Moorish decorative arts, intended for high-status display or ceremonial use as much as for function.
The full walnut stock is embellished with extensive silver inlay, including engraved flowerheads and pierced scroll panels. Notably, each side of the fore-end bears openwork silver cartouches, one inset with red coral cabochons — a distinctive regional feature. The trigger plate is also of engraved silver, and the faceted butt is finished with an ivory butt-cap. With ramrod.
Condition: Mechanism complete but not operational. Stock with minor age-related losses and small repaired areas. Decorative elements well preserved. Please look at the photos for condition.
Overall length: approx. 173 cm
Barrel length: 134.5 cm
Calibre: 22 bore
Region: Algeria / North Africa
Period: Late 18th to Early 19th century
This is a highly decorative and authentic piece of North African military history, blending Islamic artistry with Ottoman-era firearm design.
The coral and engraved silverwork are points for collectors of Islamic and ethnographic arms.
This item has been registered under the UK Ivory Act 2018, registration number 9TLSU2QL.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this Ottoman Toe Lock Musket to the 18th Century.
We specialise in flintlock pistols, muskets, clocks & watches
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A North African Ottoman Toe-lock Musket, Algeria, Late 18th to Early 19th Century. 22-Bore. A Striking Example of an Algerian Toe-lock Long Gun, Representative of North African Ottoman Craftsmanship.
