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Liberated by occupation troops WWII

1K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  rhmc24 
#1 ·
My dad has a very old musket (?) that his great grandfather "liberated" from a German castle at the end of WWII. His great grandfather was one of the occupying troops, and the story he was told was that "the victor gets the spoils." He thinks the gun is vintage 1800's and possibly handmade? It certainly is unique, appears to be made of brass and bone. It is covered in woven leather, has some beautiful etchings, and within the leather covering, there appears to be beads made of bone and turquoise. See the pictures I just took. We are curious if anyone can tell us anything about it. It sure is beautiful, in great condition, and looks one of a kind.
 

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#2 ·
It's a jezail, commonly made in the Middle East, India and North Africa. Still made in modern times but these days they are mostly for selling to tourists as "antiques".

The horn with the crocodile face probably goes with the jezail, the powder flask is European in origin.
 
#4 ·
he would have been born around 1912

It's a jezail, commonly made in the Middle East, India and North Africa. Still made in modern times but these days they are mostly for selling to tourists as "antiques".

The horn with the crocodile face probably goes with the jezail, the powder flask is European in origin.
Hey thanks! I think it's kind of beautiful. I remember it hanging over his couch when I was little. He had a German officer's helmet also, but my dad says he gave it to my uncle.
 
#8 ·
As Grizzley said, this blunderbuss is not German made, it's coming from the Orient. When it's "liberated" from a castle, may be it was a part of a collection of old weapons here, "liberated" in former times in Orient, that was very common of the most castles. The part with the crocodile face is a powder flask and it seems that's belonging to the blunderbuss. Only the other powder flask is an old German black powder flask like this:
Metal
 
#9 ·
Great information! I shared it with my parents and they are so pleased to know more about this. They are in their late 70's. The German flask is probably the most beautiful of all the pieces and is without a scratch or imperfection. I love the design of it. Interesting to know that it doesn't go with the other two items. It looks very Art Deco to me. Apparently my Uncle also has some swords that were "liberated" Thanks for helping me with this.
 
#10 ·
This looks to be very much like the "antique pistol" in another thread. Both are very poorly made (IMO) replicas, designed for sale to tourists or would-be collectors.

The (real) powder flask might be worth more than the blunderbuss.
 
#11 ·
Thanks again to all of you experts. I appreciate everything you've shared. I actually have copies of my relative's draft papers and orders. With what I know now, I might frame them and give them to my dad for his display. I s the connecting of all the items utility or for decoration. I looked on ebay to see what someone might pay for the German flask and it varies quite a bit. I found some that were 25 dollars and others that were 950. Mine is much prettier!
 
#12 ·
The chief value is to the family as WW2 bring-back, An acute case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder & not mine or anyone knowledgeable about guns --- a middle East gun plus remotely related items. The gun itself is 1800s, real enuf built using a flintlock of possible interest to a restorer or DIYer. For all I'd guestimate $200 ----->
 
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