A LONG OTTOMAN FLINTLOCK RIFLE (SHISHANA) WITH STAINED WALNUT STOCK
Ottoman Turkey, 19th century

With an impressive long wootz steel barrel with a tapering cylindrical profile, slightly everted tip, and a bulging ring by the chamber, the wootz steel barrel stamped '30' in Western numerals and featuring charming 'rock and wave' patterns and diagonal bands, secured on a typical flaring, dark stained walnut stock enhanced with incised steel plaques with fretwork and vegetal motifs, the underside of the stock decorated with flowering vases, a tall cypress tree, and a band of repeating Maltese crosses by the trigger, most of the original flintlock mechanism now missing, 216cm long.