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Miquelet Rifle

barrel dated A.H. 1151/1738–39 CE; lock dated A.H. 1240/1824–25 CE
Not on view
This is a late example of a traditional Turkish gun, distinguished by a miquelet lock, a hexagonal butt, a “ball” trigger without a trigger-guard, and a long barrel held by numerous bands. The barrel dates almost a century earlier and is inlaid in gold with a poem referring to the gun’s accuracy in the service of Islam. Elaborate guns of this type would have been reserved for hunting and target shooting.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Miquelet Rifle
  • Date: barrel dated A.H. 1151/1738–39 CE; lock dated A.H. 1240/1824–25 CE
  • Culture: barrel, probably Iranian; lock and stock, Turkish
  • Medium: Steel, wood, silver, gold, copper alloy, textile
  • Dimensions: L. 61 5/8 in. (156.5 cm); L. barrel 47 3/8 in. (120.4 cm); Cal. .60 in. (15.0 mm); Wt. 11 lb. 3 oz. (5076 g)
  • Classification: Firearms-Guns
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. William E. S. Griswold, Mrs. William Sloane and John Sloane, 1943
  • Object Number: 43.82.7
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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