Anyone know what this is?

slideleft · January 2009

Hello All,
I just posted this in "Ask the Experts", but thought I'd try here to.
I am NOT a gun guy, but was given this one years ago by a rich friend who says he originally bought it in an English antique store. The salesman told him it was a naval gun that you filled with nails or whatever, and rested it on the rail to ward off evildoer types[;)]. Some I've asked locally (S.F. Bay Area) think it was a punt gun. Others have no idea. It is 61" long, too heavy for me to really shoulder(27 lbs!) and has a 1.4" bore. Whatever the case, it is really cool and everyone seems to like it.
I would love to keep it, but am feeling pretty poor of late. What might it be worth?
Thanks!

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cbyerly · January 2009

It appears to be an original matchlock "wall gun". For castle protection and fired from the top of the castle walls. Very rare in that condition and quite valuable. Mostly seen only in museums.

odentheviking · January 2009

I would 2nd that Clyde! Looks like a match lock to me, and being that size is what is called a "Wall gun" or a "Garrison gun". It would have been mounted high on a watch tower/wall, so no need to put it to your shoulder. If you look at a cataloge from "The Rifle Shoppe" they make/sell the parts for these, but mostly in a Doglock or Flintlock version. Never seen one in a Match lock!

idaram · January 2009

Take it to an expert!!! It looks like an 18th century Indian Carnatic Torador.

The shape it's in, it could be worth a lot.

Best.....IR

slideleft · January 2009

Thanks for the input everyone. Excuse my ignorance, but where do you find an expert on such things?
Jeff

dcinffxva · February 2009

It could be a valuable old artifact, it could be a fairly modern reproduction, aged to sell to tourists. Plenty of "old guns" are middle eastern versions, and often called "trade guns".

Depending on where you are, find out who does quality appraisals of antique arms. If it is authentic, it is worth the appraisal, and if it is not, most reputable dealers won't even appraise it, and just tell you it's a replica, rather than take your money.

Anyone know what this is?

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