After the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, the rulers of the Ottoman Empire Realized a need to standardize their infantry in a Western fashion. A need for modern infantry weapons was crucial. As this time, nowhere in the Ottoman Empire were there facilities that were capable of mass producing modern infantry muskets. As a result the Ottomans contracted with gunmaking center Liege, Belgium to produce their new arm; a copy of the French M1822 musket. To date, there is no information regarding when this contract began, nor has anyone been able to determine the total amount of muskets produced under these contracts. Further study may yet find this out. What is known, is that Ottoman soldiers were still armed with the M1822 in late 1853 with the Russians invaded across the Danube River, sparking the conflict that would become known as the Crimean War.
These muskets would be used by Ottoman forces throughout the majority of the war. War correspondent William Russell noted the arrival of 15,000 Turkish reinforcements in 1855, writing: "Finer young fellow than some of the crack regiments I saw, who were armed for the most part, with 'flint firelocks', but they were very clean and bright." The Ottoman 1822 was also captured in photographs thanks to Carol Popp de Szathmari, who captured images of Ottoman Turkish soliders armed with 1822 muskets in the Spring of 1854. These images show the M1822 muskets quite clearly, and the "cheek cut" in the stock as well as the finger grooves in the trigger plate are both easily identifiable. One of the images even shows the outline of the large round Ottoman stamp found in the center of the lock plate.
This particular musket is one of these Ottoman contract M1822s. It bears Ottoman stamp on the lock plate, as well as a host of other Ottoman inspection marks on the furniture and ram rod. It appears, that while these guns were made in Liege, they were inspected by the Ottomans upon delivery from Belgium. The bottom of the barrel is marked with a Liege proofmark as well as a number of assembler's marks.
Overall the condition of the musket is quite good with the cock throwing a good spark when the trigger is pulled. The musket is all complete with the exception of the middle and front band springs which are both missing.
The stock is sound with several dings and dents from use. There are no areas of heavy damage and the stock is very sound.
The barrel is full length and the .69 caliber bore is fair with some rust and scattered pitting.
The furniture is all original and matching, including the ram rod which is full length.
