A FINE 13 BORE TURKISH MATCHLOCK MUSKET, DATED ١١٦٤, CIRCA 1751/2 with tapering etched twist barrel retained by two silver-gilt panels chased with scrolling foliage and stylised tulips, formed with a series of slender raised ribs over almost its entire length, decorated with gold-filled recessed panels and gold-encrusted foliage at each end, strongly moulded muzzle inlaid with small pellets on the face, gold-inlaid tear-shaped rondels behind and a broad panel divided by a twisted framework of gold and silver beadwork, the breech encrusted with a gold urn issuant with foliage and a small cartouche with the gold-lined barrelsmith's mark ahead, fitted with brass pan with pivot-cover, raised back-sight encrusted with gold scrollwork and pierced with a single aperture, the tang overlaid with a dated silver gilt panel chased en suite with the barrel bands, brass action including serpentine and trigger, figured walnut full stock decorated with a trellis pattern of twisted silver wire enclosing coral pellets and arrangements of bone rondels enriched with brass nails and wire, fitted on the right of the breech with a pricker and chain, faceted butt inlaid with further bone rondels alternating with broad silver gilt panels chased en suite with the barrel bands and set with red and yellow coral pellets, large ivory butt-cap and fore-end cap each decorated en suite, chased silver gilt trigger-plate, a pair of brass ring suspension mounts, and brass-tipped wooden ramrod, perhaps the original (the inlays with small losses and minor replacements) 101.5cm; 40in barrel Provenance Pierre Poisson, St Ouen, 1967