Miquelet Rifle of Ali Pasha

Unknown

lock and stock, dated A.H. 1224/1809–10 CE; barrel, 18th century · Steel, wood, silver, copper alloy, textile · Arms and Armor

Algerian firearms are typically very long and fitted with smoothbore barrels imported from Europe. The finest guns have stocks inlaid with silver (and occasionally gold), pierced and engraved with meandering floral and geometric designs. This example is unusual in bearing the name of the maker, his patron (an aga, probably an official at the court of the dey of Algiers), and the date. The silver is struck with an Algerian hallmark.

Artist

Unknown

Date

lock and stock, dated A.H. 1224/1809–10 CE; barrel, 18th century

Medium

Steel, wood, silver, copper alloy, textile

Culture

lock and stock, Algerian; barrel, European

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. William E. S. Griswold, Mrs. William Sloane and John Sloane, 1943