c. 1750
Wood, steel, brass, mother-of-pearl inlay, and leather
Overall: 103.5 cm (40 3/4 in.); Barrel: 68.3 cm (26 7/8 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.828
Art of the Islamic World (Islamic art rotation)
A matchlock musket was loaded from the muzzle end with a scouring stick kept in a sleeve on the underside of the barrel.
Collectively, the Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman empires are known as the Gunpowder Empires. Particularly from the 1500–1700s, they were among the strongest economic, cultural, and militaristic powers. Each trained and equipped their armies with the latest gunpowder firearms, particularly cannons and muskets. While used in battle, muskets were also used for leisure activities, particularly hunting. The decoration on this musket suggests it was a courtly item, fitted with a leather pad to protect the shooter from the force of the explosion after firing.
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