Lot 289: AN OTTOMAN TURKISH MIQUELET LOCK RIFLE (TUFEK) WITH INLAID STOCK, 19TH CENTURY

An Ottoman Turkish miquelet-lock rifle, of the type often referred to as a tufek or shishana. The piece features a steel miquelet mechanism with a characteristic external mainspring, ball-and-socket cock, and vertically grooved frizzen. The long barrel is octagonal at the breech before transitioning to a round section and is decorated with silver-coloured foliate and scrolling engraving at the breech. The barrel is held to the stock by three chased silver-coloured metal bands (capucines) featuring floral motifs. The wooden stock follows a traditional Ottoman profile with a slender fore-end and a pentagonal-ended buttstock. The stock is decorated throughout with bone-inlaid panels in the form of stylized scrolling foliage, palmettes, and floral patterns set against a dark wood background. The trigger is a simple steel button style without a guard.

L: 120cm