A 16 BORE NORTH AFRICAN MIQUELET-LOCK MUSKET, ALGERIA, THE LOCK DATED 1173 AH (CIRCA 1759/6 AD)

A 16 BORE NORTH AFRICAN MIQUELET-LOCK MUSKET, ALGERIA, THE LOCK DATED 1173 AH (CIRCA 1759/6 AD), CIRCA 1820-30

with octagonal swamped barrel fitted with silver fore-sight and standing back-sight, inlaid with two brass lines at the breech, retained by five chased silver bands each pierced with a pair of rectangular panels on the left and right, the tang overlaid with sheet silver, chiselled iron lock of characteristic form, the main plate inscribed with the date and the maker's signature, 'Work of Mustafa', on the underside and overlaid with sheet brass, the principle elements overlaid with sheet silver chased with scrollwork and, on the steel, a crescent, figured hardwood three-quarter stock profusely inlaid over its full length with numerous silver plaques pierced with openwork designs of scrolling foliage, faceted butt inlaid en suite, silver butt cap, retaining fabric thumb-defence embroidered with a palmette in silver thread, and original silver-tipped wooden ramrod

135.7 cm; 53 1/2 in barrel