19th C. Igbo Wood & Iron Dane Trick Rifle - Egbe Cham

Western Africa, Nigeria, Igbo peoples, ca. 19th century CE. A hand-built wooden flintlock Dane rifle of European origin that was sold or traded to African tribes. The lengthy iron barrel is secured to the wooden forestock with a trio of barrel bands, and the original iron trigger rests below the space where the original lock plate was once situated. The handle is wrapped in black oilskin, and an iron panel on one side of the missing lock plate denotes an old repair. Known locally as 'egbe cham,' rifles like this example are known as 'trick' rifles because European traders knew the Africans had little to no experience with Western firearms; to maximize profits, Europeans would trade the poorest quality rifles which typically had missing, broken, or faulty parts. Size: 48" L (121.9 cm); (length of barrel): 40.5" L (102.9 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired March 2015; ex-Fagan Arms, Clinton Township, Michigan, USA

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#151963
Condition Report: Original lock plate and ram rod missing. Chips and fissures to handle, forestock, back stock, and barrel commensurate with age and intended construction, with old repairs to handle area, and encrustations on barrel and trigger. Light earthen deposits and nice patina throughout.