Exceptional Lamchar wall musket
Price
Status
Available
Region
South Asia (India, Sri-Lanka)
(North India, Mughal dominions)
Period
17th century
Materials
Steel, Iron, Wood, Cotton
Description
The ‘toradar’ matchlock muskets are commonly found in India and its closest neighbors. First invented in the 15th century, derived from the European, Turkish and Persian invaders and traders which carried muskets. They lasted until the 19th century and hardly changed in style and fabrication. The stock is mostly straight forward with a steel barrel held by rings of steel or iron. The firing mechanism is a matchlock, which is basically a system holding a firing cord which sets the priming powder on the pan on fire, directing the ignition towards the powder load inside the barrel when triggered. A system which was maintained in India during the entire modern period.
The decoration on these ‘toradar’ rifles varies vastly. Simple examples which were used for hunting and issued as munition grade quality, while luxurious examples set with gold, silver, precious stones and elaborate polychrome paintings depicting hunting scenes or foliage. ‘Toradar’ rifles can vary in length from 80 centimers up till 3 meters. Varying from child’s status symbol to fortification- or wallgun. The wall guns were extremely long and heavy compared to the regular matchlock guns and were therefor called ‘lamchar’ which means ‘big and long’. The ‘lamchar’ known date from the 17th century with exact similar aesthetically features and provenance to the fortress armouries.
This example:
One of the largest examples in its kind measuring an impressive 248cm. While most examples measure around 150 cm, this example can be considered one of the largest known in its type. A similar example is held in the Merhangarh Fortress in Jodhpur and was owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
Exceptional Lamchar wall musket
Condition
Very good, some minor ware and repairs on the wooden stock, further excellent.
Dimensions
Barrel length: 193cm
Length: 248cm
Bore diameter: 2.9cm
Weight
18.8kg
Comparable items
Provenance
French art market