A RARE 20 BORE OTTOMAN DECORATED MATCHLOCK MUSKET, TURKEY, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY with octagonal

A RARE 20 BORE OTTOMAN DECORATED MATCHLOCK MUSKET, TURKEY, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY with octagonal twist sighted barrel retained by a pair of pierced and engraved silver bands (rubbed), the breech and muzzle each formed with a raised shaped moulding encrusted with gold scrolls within linear frames, the breech stamped with the gold-lined barrelsmith`s mark, incorporating a tall back-sight decorated with a band of gold beadwork between two lines and fitted with brass pan with pivot-cover, the action with brass serpentine and trigger each enclosed by an engraved parcel gilt silver plate, full stock entirely veneered in small rectangular panels of horn and bone within a framework of brass fillets, inlaid with numerous brass framed rondels filled with contrasting colours of horn, the panels adjoining the barrel stained green, faceted butt partly veneered en suite, applied with engraved shaped parcel gilt silver plaques set with corals, further parcel gilt silver panels embossed with beadwork and set with corals, all enriched with brass nails, faceted ivory butt cap inset with matching rondels, pricker with chain, suspension ring with chain opposite the lock (forward sling swivel missing, the inlay with losses, small chips and wear), fore-end cap matching the barrel bands and brass tipped ramrod, perhaps the original 123cm; 48 1/2in barrel Provenance The descendant family of Sir Thomas Joseph Strangman QC (1873- 1971) Sir Thomas Joseph Strangman, son of Joseph Strangman of Southport Lancashire was educated at Charterhouse and Trinity College Cambridge. He was admitted at the Middle Temple 14th April 1893, called to the Bar in 1896 and to the Bar in India the same year. He was Advocate General in Bombay 1908-15 and 1916-22 and was knighted 1920. See J. Venn 1922-58. The decoration on the present gun is related to a distinctive group of ivory-stocked miquelet-lock muskets that have been attributed to the guard of Sultan Abdul Hamid I (1725-1789, ruled 1773-89). Six of the group are preserved in the Topkapi Sarayi Museum, another is in the Gatchina Arsenal, St Petersburg (GDM 803) and another was sold Christie`s South Kensington 17th December 2008, lot 37. For a discussion of the group see H. Ricketts and P. Missillier 1988, p. 162, no. 43.