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Matchlock Gun

late 18th–19th century
Not on view
With its delicately painted stock and distinctive barrel type with an enlarged breech end, this gun was likely manufactured in Rajasthan, in northern India. Intended for the hunt, such richly decorated firearms were made for an aristocratic clientele. A similar example appears in a portrait of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58) from around 1635, indicating that guns of this style remained in fashion for several centuries with very little change.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Matchlock Gun
  • Date: late 18th–19th century
  • Geography: Rajasthan
  • Culture: Indian, Rajasthan, possibly Gwalior
  • Medium: Steel, iron, wood, ivory, gold, silver, copper alloy, pigment
  • Dimensions: L. 59 7/8 in. (152.1 cm); L. of barrel 41 3/4 in. (106.1 cm); Cal. .68 in. (17.0 mm); Wt. 9 lbs. 11 oz. (4405 g)
  • Classification: Firearms-Guns-Matchlock
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1933
  • Object Number: 33.28.2
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
Primer, Brass, Indian, Rajasthan
Primer
Indian, Rajasthan
18th century
Matchlock Gun (清 鳥銃), Steel, wood, copper, brass, iron, silver, gold, Chinese
Matchlock Gun (清 鳥銃)
Chinese
probably 18th–19th century
Dagger (Katar), Steel, gold, Indian, Mughal
Dagger (Katar)
Indian, Mughal
18th–19th century
Matchlock Rifle, Steel, wood, silver, gold, copper alloy, Indian, Sind (now Pakistan)
Matchlock Rifle
Indian, Sind (now Pakistan)
second quarter of the 19th century
Punch Dagger (Katar) with Sheath, Steel, iron, silver, gold, rubies, Indian, Mughal
Punch Dagger (Katar) with Sheath
Indian, Mughal
late 17th–18th century

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