What kind of rifle is this? Is it original?

[pitsmile]

A friend of mine just got this rifle from someone for free. I am skeptical if it is real because he had around 10 (I'm told) of them. I would appreciate any information. If it is real - is it original or remake? And since it is made in 1808 is it exempt from registration?

1808 and the logo are the only markings on the rifle.
Pictures: http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z343/pitsmile/1808 Rifle/

 

[KodiakBeer]

It's probably considered an assault rifle in New Jersey. I'm thinking North African...

 

[Dr.Rob]

Tales of the Gun had an episode describing rifles shaped that way and how they are fired.

"Guns of the Orient" I beleive.

Found an episode on YouTube, though copyright rules dictate I not link to it.. it's 'part 2' that identifies that stock type as an Afghan "Jizail" style of rifle. This was common in NW India/Pakistan and Afghanistan, though reginal differences vary widely.

It's probably made with an English trade lock (hence the date) or possibly Belgian. Stragely these were common 'tourist' items at the turn of the century (1900) and soliders can bring stuff this old home as a 'trophy' from the Afghan campaign so they are becoming more common. Copies will be likely too.

"Copy" is a LOOOSE term in this part of the world as the gunmakers of Pershawar can crank out an exact replica of a Luger with a cold chisel and a file (they'll even copy the proofmarks) and they work. The common practice before buying a weapon there is to shoot it in the air or at the nearest hillside.

 

[Mp7]

...

Possibly Moroccan, Turkish or Hindukush india region.

Moroccan Berber Riders use that style.

 

[pitsmile]

@ Dr. Rob - thank you I'm going to check out that video.
-I agree, after watching the video. Thanks again for the research.

@Kodiak - yea no doubt, they don't even sell Airsoft in NJ. Such an ignorant state.

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, I think it was made as a gun, not a tourist souvenir, but made in a traditional manner. The date means nothing as the makers often copied the date of an original lockplate even if they were making the gun a hundred years later (maybe they didn't even know it was a date, it was just a mark to be copied).

Jim

 

[Old Shooter]

The August/September issue of "Military History" magazine has an article about the use of the Afghan jezail rifle with a picture that is VERY similiar to your example. I think Dr.Rob nailed it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Please realize that while they may be able to carve an EXACT copy of almost any gun, that it is still a gun made by hand of scrap steel, Value it as a piece of art, a 'modern sculpture' and be very leery of using any type of high pressure ammo. I saw a nice You Tube video on Khyber Pass guns where kids were reloading bullets with old Nitro Cellulose film for powered (works). NOT a high pressure load.

 

[pitsmile]

Thanks for the input.