4503 EXCEPTIONAL PERSIAN TOFANG MATCHLOCK RIFLE.

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 02 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Cal. 65. NSN. 65" overall, heavy 48" octagonal swamped Damascus barrel with 2 Persian inscriptions, integral tall tombstone rear sight, gold floral arabesques inlaid at breech and muzzle. Gold inlaid Persian inscriptions translate "made at the town of Yorn in the month of July in the year 1267" [1850] and "The world shone as from the light of Muhammad" [when gun is fired]. 8 fine pierced steel barrel bands attach 9" sculpted steel nose cap and 8" front sling swivel plate, matching rear sling swivel mounted on stock at breech, Sling swivels have chiseled design. The original leather & fabric sling still attached. Matchlock mechanism is elegant, chiseled steel with pierced plates. The long, graceful stock has carved palmette moldings, checkered at butt terminating in ivory and chiseled steel butt cap, original chiseled ramrod. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: collection notes concerning meaning of markings and carving, history of purchase and possible provenance to Persian Qajar noble family. One page appraisal by Oliver S. Pinchot, 2004. CONDITION: very good overall, stock has old pinned inset repair rear of nose cap, several age cracks, hand worn patina. Steel mounts and matchlock mechanism are smooth and bright. Barrel's damascene surface is very good and complete, gold inlaid designs are complete with some reductions & wear at muzzle and edges of tall integral rear sight. Mechanically matchlock functions well, rust & corrosion in flash pan "as-found". Bore has deep twisted rifling. 2 lengths of original wick are very good. Ivory has numerous age cracks, sound & complete. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Dr. Curtis S. Morse. (01-26314/JS). ANTIQUE. $10,000-20,000.