Traditional M/L Guns from Afghanistan

BEFORE:

rickystl said:

More info on the OP's Jazail shooter:

The stock was mostly refinished. There was a crack near the wrist area that was glued and filled in. Loose trigger guard was removed and eventually re-nailed. The white, bone slab near the butt cap was cracked and turning some kind of greyish color. That was replaced with a new slab and the horn butt cap polished out, and everything re-nailed. Here are some before and after photos:

Rick

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Based on the examples I have seen for sale, wrist damage seems to be common.

AFTER:

Here are some pics of before and after with the lock. The lock was actually in good working condition. Just covered in a light coating of red rust. The lock was lightly glass bead blasted and cleaned up and a bit of tuning. There was a thick piece of leather between the upper edge of the lock plate and pan to fill a gap between there and the barrel, since the barrel was originally used on a matchlock. That was replaced with brass sheet on the back of the lock to close that gap. Turned out very well.

Rick

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And now the barrel. LOL The barrel was also covered in a thin coat of red rust. It had 8-groove rifling in about .60 caliber. The original rifling was too far gone. And I was not comfortable with the breech plug and threads.
But the one positive thing with the barrel - the entire gun in fact - is that it is about 1-2-lbs. lighter than other Jazails I have/handled. This is why I picked this one to make into a shooter. The lighter weight is much better off-hand.
So, the barrel was sent to Bobby Hoyt to work his magic. The barrel is now a standard .54 caliber rifled with a 1-66 twist. A new breech plug and threads were made - but with the original tang welded back on and re-fitted to the stock. Also, a new, taller fron sight installed. And the off-center rear sight slot was weld close and re-cut.
Some before and after pics:

Rick

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Woops. Forgot to post the new barrel liner...

rickystl said:

Hi Cyten

Yes, that's why I believe these guns were designed by their builders with rest-type shooting in mind versus off-hand. Those original bi-pods are fairly rare today. And they bring a premium at auctions, with and without the gun. LOL

RickView attachment 191000View attachment 191001

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the two guys standing in the top picture seem to both be reloading there weapons!

cyten said:

There is a common misconception that Afghanistan is in the "Middle East"
However, it is part of Central Asia and only borders one Middle Eastern country, Iran.
View attachment 191428


Although not the most forested place, they certainly are around. For instance, Kunar Province.

There is a book in the works that will cover mainly Kabul production of breechloaders, but also Jezail manufacture etc. Hoping there will be some good info.

Of interest, someone on another forum found a crate his grandfather had shipped from Afghanistan full of Jezails and pistols

In it was something I've never seen, a Jezail with a back action lock

And some photographic "evidence" of the stock being used to be shouldered

View attachment 191464

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that is a great picture of a flintlock & a matchlock. and the guy steading it against the tree for the shooter. who by the way is not looking at the sights & it seems to be in the fired position. jmho.

Never had Mr Hoyt do work for me. I am impressed with this work. I had to look for the liner, only a slight variation in color to see it.

ACCOUTERMENTS:

A belt of accouterments belonging to an Afghan tribesman/warrior for use with his Jazail. I'll post each item individually, but the list includes:
Waist belt with buckle.
Powder horn.
Gord style container for carrying lead balls (or possibly a canteen, but don't think so).
Powder measure.
Steel for fire starting, including pouch. (flint in one of the pouches).
Sabre hook.
Medium and small matching pouches. Inside are scraps of linen cloth and flint for fire making.
An unusual decorated leather waist piece with tassels. Decorated with period British military coat buttons.

Rick

WAIST BELT AND BUCKLE........

A POWDER HORN. MISSING PART OF IT'S FLIP-UP STOPPER....

rickystl said:

ACCOUTERMENTS:

A belt of accouterments belonging to an Afghan tribesman/warrior for use with his Jazail. I'll post each item individually, but the list includes:
Waist belt with buckle.
Powder horn.
Gord style container for carrying lead balls (or possibly a canteen, but don't think so).
Powder measure.
Steel for fire starting, including pouch. (flint in one of the pouches).
Sabre hook.
Medium and small matching pouches. Inside are scraps of linen cloth and flint for fire making.
An unusual decorated leather waist piece with tassels. Decorated with period British military coat buttons.

RickView attachment 192199

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From the three regions (Afghanistan, India, ottomans/balkans/caucuses) do you have a favorite type of accessories set up (what ever the period equivalent of webbing is)?

At least in a general sense, or a specific example because obviously there was no standardization.

GORD STYLE BALL HOLDER, I BELIEVE. Note the leather hanger is partly decorated with period British coat buttons. Likely a battlefield capture.

A POWDER MEASURE....