It was listed by Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this North African Musket to the 19th Century.
Regulation British smoothbore barrel, .600 calibre, 39 inches in length, with original brass trigger guard. Military lock plate clearly marked “1856 TOWER”, with crowned VR stamped to the tang.
The stock reworked in distinctive North African style: butt overlaid with cowrie shells arranged in tight curved rows, the fore-end sheathed in scroll-embossed white metal (possibly low grade silver) panels and secured by seven white metal barrel bands.
These decorated muskets were popular across the Maghreb in the 19th century, combining British surplus military locks and barrels with local decorative tastes, serving both as functional arms and prestige display pieces.
Condition: Lock complete but showing rust and wear, cock frozen, wood with losses around breech but stable; decorative metalwork aged with patina. Cowrie shell butt intact with minor losses. Not suitable for firing.
Arabic script as something like:
????? ??? (al-Hajj Ali) ? “The Pilgrim Ali”
This is a common form of personal name — “al-Hajj” is an honorific given to a Muslim who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca.
So likely the musket once belonged to or was inscribed for a man named Ali who had the title of al-Hajj. This fits with North African Islamic ownership.
Dimensions: Overall length approx. 55 inches (140 cm). Barrel 39 inches (99 cm). Bore approx. .600 calibre.
Provenance: Private UK collection.
Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria has dated this North African Musket to the 19th Century.
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You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Peter Harris Clocks & Militaria Profile Page
Rare North African Musket with Tower Lock, Mid-19th Century.
