A VERY RARE GREEK 15-BORE FLINTLOCK GUN (RASAK) (AL9881)

Early 19th Century. With four-stage barrel with bulbous muzzle and etched with panels of geometric designs and foliage on the octagonal breech-section, tang etched with further foliage, border engraved flat bevelled lock with stepped tail and roller, walnut three-quarter stock with characteristic fish-tail butt, the rear of the stock decorated with engraved applied brass panels, some pierced, and smaller shaped plaques engraved with foliage, flower-heads and dragons interspersed with brass wire scrolls, brass mounts engraved en suite including side-plate with punched Greek inscription, and long fore-end sleeve, five brass barrel-bands engraved en suite, the rear band incorporating a silver rear-sight, and original iron ramrod
48¼in. (122.5cm.) barrel. This gun was sold at Christie Auction in London in June of 2011. The consigner to Christies believed this gun was used during the 1821 revolution against the Ottoman empire. He believed the two Lions on each side of the stock were added during the period of King Otto of Greece’s reign which began in 1832, The left hand side side-plate has a name inscribed that is Costrantinamas in Greek. Very neat rare Greek Flintlock!