Flintlock musketoon with possible Tipu Sultan connection, 30inch octagonal to round barrel with fine brass inlaid decoration and flaring blunderbuss muzzle, crowned GR lock stamped Tower, chequered stock with later added Indian decorative carving.

The musketoon is adorned with period applied Indian form inlaid geometric and foliate designs to the barrel. The wood is also period carved with a foliate design featuring red coloured flowers on stems with leaves. This design matches that found on an embroidered arrow quiver which was part of ‘the Tipu Sultan collection’ sold at 'Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale' held on 21st April 2015. This carving possibly indicates capture by Tipu Sultan’s forces for use against the EIC.

Tipu, the “Tiger of Mysore” was the last king of Mysore. He was the East India Company’s most tenacious enemy, inflicting numerous defeats on the British, partly through his development of military rockets, before his death at Seringapatam in 1799 when he was defeated by the British Army, led by Major General David Baird. Tipu once said: “I would rather live one day as a tiger than a lifetime as a sheep”. When the British under Baird’s leadership finally captured Tipu’s capital city, the conquerors were astonished at the jewels, arms and art objects that Tipu had collected. Baird, son of an Edinburgh merchant family, later declared Tipu dead, from a gunshot to the head and three bayonet wounds. After his death many items of Tipu Sultan’s, arms, armour & jewellery were captured and ended up in private collections of British Officer’s who took part in Tipu’s final battle.

Section 58 (2) Antique / obsolete calibre, can be owned without a licence. Buyer must be over the age of 18, age verification will be required if the lot is to be posted out.

Dimensions: 115.5cm long