Summary
Flintlock musket, 17 bore (cal. .660), steel taped smooth bore octagonal barrel with slight belled muzzle, 140.40cm long, blued tang with engraved and punched decoration.
Made by Berthon Bourlier Et Fils Aine, St. Etienne, France, circa 1820.
Originally of French manufacture and subsequently adorned with Arabic decorative motifs for the Arab market. Square shield framed on right hand.side butt contains Arabic script, possibly from the Koran, framed by border of inlaid silver wire.
Physical Description
Steel side lock and hammer on R.H.side, hammer lightly pitted, ecliptical brass triggerguard with long finial extensions, brass cast sideplate depicting a hunting scene in relief with a deer, two dogs and a hunter. Rear sight appears to have been removed and the barrel inlet filled with a corresponding piece of metal, pin front sight missing. Wooden stock extends almost to muzzle, but suffers damage at muzzle end, carved and extensively inlaid with silver wire in foliate motifs across stock and around lock area, inlaid crescent moon on back and eight pointed star below tang followed by an inverted heart shaped escutcheon and a pink stone set into the front of butt comb. Brass butt plate engraved with foliate and floral motifs. Steel ramrod with light decorative chiselling at muzzle end. Barrel original attached to stock via barrel pins which have been removed and replaced by four punched brass bands, inlet pannel on R.H.side of stock for brass plate surrounding barrel pin still visible.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr William E. Cole, 23 Sep 1943
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Manufacturer
Berthon Bourlier et Fils Aine (Gunsmiths), St Etienne, France, circa 1820
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Collector
Mr William E. Cole, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Inscriptions
Engraved on lockplate: Berthon Bourlier/ Et Fils Aine a St. Etienne Stamped on barrel top with illegible marking Stamped on barrel top R.H.side with unidentified maker's mark
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Brand Names
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
180.3 cm (Length), 6.4 cm (Width), 18.5 cm (Height)
Barrel length: 140.40cm
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References
[Book] Penrose, Edgar H. 1949. Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Firearms in the Museum of Applied Science of Victoria. 161. 14.
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Keywords