Kubur

Kubur
Albanian "Rat Tail" Kubur with Palaska & Silahlik
Type	Muzzleloading Pistol
Service history
In service	16th century to 1870's (Military) until early 20th century (Irregulars)
Used by	Ottoman Empire
Wars	Nearly every Ottoman war from the 16th to 20th century
Production history
Produced	16th to mid 19th century
Specifications
Length	8 - 14 inch barrels
Caliber	.50 - .70
Action	Miquelet Lock, Flintlock or Percussion

The Kubur was a type of muzzleloading pistol ^[1] produced and used throughout the Ottoman Empire. It is a general term, referring to a common form of holster pistol, though more specific types were often named for their region of manufacture or distinctive design features. ^[2]

Design and Features

Kubur pistols share a common overall form but exhibit significant regional variation in decoration, lock type, and stock design.

Action: The most common lock mechanism was the robust Miquelet lock, prized for its reliability. However, examples with conventional flintlock mechanisms and later percussion locks are also frequently encountered. ^[3]

Stock: Stocks were typically made from walnut or other hardwoods and could be either partially or fully covered in metal, most often silver or brass, which was often intricately engraved or chiseled. ^[4]

Barrel: Barrels were usually long & smoothbore.

Regional and Typological Variations

While "Kubur" serves as a general term, more specific names were often applied to denote a pistol's purported origin or distinctive style.

Regionally Named Types: Many pistols were named after the towns or regions they were associated with. Examples include the Skadarke (from Shkodër, modern Albania), the Pećanka (from Peć, modern Kosovo) etc. ^{[2] [5]}

Design-Based Types: Some varieties were named for their aesthetic characteristics. The Ledenica (meaning "icicle"), for instance, was a type stocked entirely in silver. ^[6] Another distinct type, characterized by a "rat-tail" butt and a stock made of engraved brass, is primarily attributed to gunsmiths in central Albania, particularly the city of Elbasan. ^[4]

Use

The Kubur was a ubiquitous sidearm across the Ottoman Empire for centuries carried by military officers, cavalrymen, militias, and civilians for personal protection. They were carried on horseback or on foot in holsters such as the multi-compartment Silahlik belts, purpose-made paired holsters known as kuburluk ^[1] , single gun holsters, or sometimes stuffed into a sash. As a valuable personal item, it was often highly decorated, serving as a status symbol as well as a weapon. ^[2]

By 1883, a flintlock/miquelet Kubur in Serbia cost 4 dinars, percussion pistols were 8-24 dinars, while revolvers cost 27-72 dinars. For comparison, a well-fed pig at that time was worth 24 dinars, while a teacher's monthly salary was 108 dinars. ^[7]

Gallery

• 
  16th-17th century Kubur
• 
  Shishane, Kariofili, Kubur, Tançica, Boyliya
• 
  Flintlock Kubur Pistols
• 
  Cloesup of Lendenica Pistols
• 
  17th Century Kubur
• 
  Ledenica
• 
  Pair of coral adorned Algerian Kubur Pistols
• 
• 
  Percussion Lock Kubur
• 
  Pistols of Vasos Mavrovouniotis

See also

• Shishane, another popular firearm used in the Ottoman Empire
• Džeferdar, ornate musket from Montenegro
• Tançica, a long barreled musket from Albania
• Kariofili, musket of the Greek revolution
• Boyliya, Bulgarian musket with unique lock
• Khirimi, similiar long un from the Caucasus
• Jezail, Afghan rifle popularized in media
• Moukahla, a North African snaphaunce musket

References

1. Mulasmajic, Nusret (2011). Bosnian-English Dictionary: Turcisms, Colloquialisms, Islamic Words and Expressions. AuthorHouse. ISBN   9781463401795.
2. Curčić, Vejsil (1926). STARINSKO ORUŽJE (PDF) (in Bosnian). Sarajevo: DRŽAVNA ŠTAMPARIJA.
3. Astvatsaturyan, E.G. (2002). Турецкое Оружие (in Russian). Атлант. ISBN   5-901555-10-4.
4. Elgood, Robert (2009). The Arms of Greece and Her Balkan Neighbours in the Ottoman Period. Thames & Hudson. ISBN   978-0500251577.
5. Davidson, Gaffney, Miracle, Sofaer (2016). Croatia at the Crossroads. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. ISBN   978-1-78491-530-8.
6. Clarizia, Vincenzo (2022). Ancient Weapons of Oman Volume 2: Firearms. Archaeopress Publishing Limited. ISBN   9781803270333.
7. Тодоровић, Др Драгоје (1986). ТИМОЧКА БУНА 1883. VI ГРАЂА. Београд: Архив Србије.