| Accession No |
1895.9
|
| Name/Title |
DAKAI QIWAVATU, MUSKET
|
| Brief Description |
This muzzle-loading, smoothbore flintlock musket is 65 calibre. Made in America in 1819, it comes complete with a ramrod and has an American black walnut stock inlaid with ivory and trade beads. Identified as a Fijian trade musket, it was later adapted and adorned with Fijian whale ivory (tooth) and perforated beads, possibly trade beads, glass and hand-drilled tridacna. It is likely to have been used in the musket wars.
The sling attachment is missing. The lock is early 19th century but the stock shape is later. The fore end cap (metal attachment at the end of the barrrel) and lock plate are American (note US Martial Eagle and US on lockplate). It has a heavy patina from coconut oil.
These American-made muskets were first taken to Fiji in the early 19th century by European whalers and traders of sandalwood and bêche-de-mer (sea cucumber), bartering metal tools, tobacco, cloth, muskets and gunpowder. They had a profound impact on Fijian warfare and politics. As much for their high costs and their foreign origin as their military capability, muskets rapidly became a status symbol in Fiji, the club-bearer who customarily accompanied a chief soon being joined or replaced by a gunbearer.
|
| Classification |
Musket/Armament T&E - Firearm/Armament T&E/T&E For Science & Technology/Nomenclature
|
| Credit Line |
Early trade musket to Fiji, used in musket wars early 19th century, Fijian whale ivory (tooth) and perforated bead, possibly trade, glass or hand drilled tridacna, inlays, heavy patina from coconut oil, one of only four in the world.
|
| Primary Prod Date |
1819
|
| Primary Prod Period |
Early 19th century/19th century
|
| Primary Prod Place |
United States of America
|
| Measurement Reading |
131cm
|
| Signature/Marks |
US / US martial eagle / T FRENCH
CANNON/ 181... (illeg. possibly 9)...
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