Original 19th Century Antique Indian Decorated Toradar Matchlock Gun c.1800/1850 – 68 Inches Long Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an elegant Indian Matchlock “TORADAR” gun, measuring 68″ in overall length, the barrel itself being 49″. The traditional ignition system of the various Indian States of British India, matchlocks were in use on the Sub Continent from the early 1600’s through the 1800s.

With a bore of .50″, this is a highly maneuverable weapon despite its long length. These were always smooth bore, but with such long barrels could in the right hands shoot over considerable distances. The British found this out in the Great Sepoy Rebellion of 1857-1859 better known today as THE INDIAN MUTINY.

Our example is an “Up Market” weapon and is beautifully inlaid with brass and silver wire floral and bird inlays on the fine wood butt stock. The action is supported by tooled iron work and long trigger plate beneath. The trigger has a faceted facing edge. The three barrel bands are heavily embossed and may be tarnished silver. The gun comes complete with its original iron ramrod.

A fine clean example dating to early Victorian times, ready to display.

A toradar is basically an Indian matchlock, first used in 16th-century. It was a preferred firearm in India well until the mid 19th-century because of its simple and cheap design. They were found mostly in the Mughal-influenced Northern and Central India. Two types of toradar exist: one has a very slim, from 3 feet (91 cm) to 6 feet (180 cm) long, straight stock with pentagonal-shaped section, and a light barrel; the other type is always between 5 feet (150 cm) to 6 feet (180 cm) long, has a curved stock with diamond-shaped section and a very heavy barrel, much enlarged at the breech. Both have the regular Indian type of lock, which is covered with a pan cover that usually swings on a pin. The iron side plates which reinforce each side of the stock extend for some distance on each side of the lock.

The barrel is usually fastened to the stock by wire band or leather thongs which frequently pass over silver saddles on the barrel. The rear sight of the first type have ogival shape, or an open V, while the second usually has a very large open rear sight. Both types’ muzzles are generally fastened with moulded ring. The front sight are made very long so as to show above them. This front sights were often shaped into figurative forms e.g. the nose of a man, or shaped like tiger’s head. Some toradar have square-shaped barrel, even with square bores. Both types generally have a clevis for a sling strap and some have two.

Compared with the European matchlocks, the stock of a toradar has a more simple shape than the fish-tail shaped butt of the European matchlock. The stock is also too small to be placed against the shoulder, so the Indian toradar were normally held beneath the arm.

A toradar used for sporting gun had painting of hunting figures, e.g. birds, other animals, and landscapes.

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1800-1850
Caliber: approx .50 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 49 inches
Overall Length: 68 inches
Action: Matchlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.