Shishane

The Shishane (or Shishana) was a type of musket^[1] widely used in the Balkans and Turkey, produced by official Ottoman arsenals as well as small gunsmith guilds and shops. They were unique in having a pentagonal or hexagonal shaped buttstock, ball trigger without a guard, and aperture rear sights, often with settings for extended ranges.

Shishane
Shishanes with Miquelet Locks.
Type	Musket
Service history
In service	16th century to 1820'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	30 - 60 inches
Caliber	.44 - .80
Action	Matchlock/Miquelet Lock or Caplock (conversion)

Mechanism

Lock

When first adopted, in the 16th century, the Shishane used a Matchlock mechanism. Though at some point of that same century, the miquelet lock was introduced.^[2] Many Matchlocks were converted to Miquelet in the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Miquelet became standard issued.^[3] Though weapons trade with Italy was common at that point, the Miquelet locks they adopted were of the Spanish "Patilla" variety.

Origin and usage

The Shishane was locally produced across the Ottoman region, Bosnia,^[4] Bulgaria,^[5] Kosovo,^[6] Macedonia,^[6] and Serbia.

Janissaries were equipped with Shishane up until their disbanding. Bashi-bazouks & other irregulars carried them until the early 20th century, as can be seen in period photos.

Decoration

It is rare to find surviving examples that are unadorned in anyway. Decorating one's firearms was considered a mark of honor and status,^[7] leading to highly ornate examples. Ivory, brass, silver, horn, and bone were all common materials inlaid into the stock. Barrels and locks were sometimes decorated with gold, coral, or wax-filled engravings. There is speculation among historians and collectors about decoration styles being attributed to particular regions.

Some Shishanes bear inscribed dates on the barrel, frizzen, lock plate, or under the mainspring, helping to authenticate and date surviving examples.

Gallery

• 
  17th Century Matchlock Shishane
• 
  Palace Guard Rifle stocked in Ivory
• 
  Shishane with Gabrovo style lock and barrel