The book High Albania, published in 1909 by Edith Durham, gives a fascinating ethnographic account of the mountain people of northern Albania. The Albanians of the 1800's to early 1900's were always armed. This stemmed from their dangerous territory filled with blood feuds, bandits, and raids, let alone wild animals. Surprisingly, despite being very socially “backward,” armaments in Albania were often modern. In the book, many Albanians carry Martini rifles, and unnamed revolvers (likely the Gasser Montenegrin type.) In addition to new Mauser rifles, a few had Mauser and Browning pistols. They also carry yataghans and flintlock pistols.
Certain types of flintlock or miquelet lock pistols, pictured above, are attributed to Albania, or the region in general. While the provenance for an individual piece is questionable, one fact is true: the Albanians loved silver work in their weapons. Durham saw a number of silver-accented weapons on her trip into Albania.
During a feast, on page 49, Durham writes: "Many carried splendid silver-mounted weapons, and even though wearing revolvers, thrust great silver ramrods in their belts, for 'swagger.' Snow-white headwraps dazzled in the sun--crimson and gold djemadans and jeleks, the short black ghurdi, and the decorative black braiding of the tight-fitting chakshir (trousers), and the heavy silver watch and pistol chains--set lavishly with the false rubies and turquoise loved of the mountain man--set off the lean supple figures to the greatest advantage."
On page 118, while Durham travelled with local guides, "They said they wished to call on a friend, and left us under a tree with a Martini, saying that any one who passed would recognise the weapon (decked with silver filagree), and consider us properly introduced."
On page 120, there was a meeting of clan heads, and "It was a most important meeting on home and foreign affairs. The noise was terrific, and deafened us even in the room above. The Padre came panting upstairs with his arms full of pistols, flintlocks heavily mounted in silver. . . . The room was already stacked with Martinis, deposited in sign of good faith."
On page 174-175, Durham describes a man she called “Old Red Coat:” “Old Red Coat talked every one down, and boasted incessantly of his own merits, chief being his stainless honour. He had shot four men in its defence, had his house burnt down four times, and flourished greatly, and was ready any day to shoot four more. He had rewarded his Martini for its part of the work, with four silver coins driven in between the stock and the barrel.”
On page 175, she describes “The Primaeval:” After mass there was a rush for the shooting-ground --the mark was a white stone, and the range short. The Primaeval hit often, and a man with a Mauser every time he tried. Those that missed were very close. But it was not difficult, for I hit it myself, with the Primeaval's beloved Martini, which he pressed upon me, adorned as it was with silver coins, to reward it for the lives it had taken.
On page 272, she went to the bazar in the large town of Prizren: “It is a grand bazar. Worth all the journey, for as yet it is but little spoiled with alla franga [modern style/attire\. The gold embroidery is not to be surpassed anywhere; the tailors' shops are a blaze of gorgeous colour and design. Had it not been for the difficulties of transport, I should have ruined myself. As for the carved walnut-wood frames inlaid with silver, they are the finest work of the kind I have seen anywhere. It was in Prizren in the olden days that the finest artists in gold and silver inlay flourished, and turned out yataghans and gunbarrels fit for fairy princes, and from thence they spread into Bosnia. The so-called Bosnian inlay is mainly of Albanian origin, and much of it actually Albanian handicraft.
The demand for very fine work is now slight--alla franga will maybe soon kill it--but there are still in Prizren workmen who can execute it.
The main trade is in rough and cheap ornaments for the peasants. The silver-workers are all Christian.
Pictures from:
http://www.rockislandauction.com/
http://www.ambroseantiques.com/
http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/
http://www.delcampe.fr/
Certain types of flintlock or miquelet lock pistols, pictured above, are attributed to Albania, or the region in general. While the provenance for an individual piece is questionable, one fact is true: the Albanians loved silver work in their weapons. Durham saw a number of silver-accented weapons on her trip into Albania.
During a feast, on page 49, Durham writes: "Many carried splendid silver-mounted weapons, and even though wearing revolvers, thrust great silver ramrods in their belts, for 'swagger.' Snow-white headwraps dazzled in the sun--crimson and gold djemadans and jeleks, the short black ghurdi, and the decorative black braiding of the tight-fitting chakshir (trousers), and the heavy silver watch and pistol chains--set lavishly with the false rubies and turquoise loved of the mountain man--set off the lean supple figures to the greatest advantage."
On page 118, while Durham travelled with local guides, "They said they wished to call on a friend, and left us under a tree with a Martini, saying that any one who passed would recognise the weapon (decked with silver filagree), and consider us properly introduced."
On page 120, there was a meeting of clan heads, and "It was a most important meeting on home and foreign affairs. The noise was terrific, and deafened us even in the room above. The Padre came panting upstairs with his arms full of pistols, flintlocks heavily mounted in silver. . . . The room was already stacked with Martinis, deposited in sign of good faith."
On page 174-175, Durham describes a man she called “Old Red Coat:” “Old Red Coat talked every one down, and boasted incessantly of his own merits, chief being his stainless honour. He had shot four men in its defence, had his house burnt down four times, and flourished greatly, and was ready any day to shoot four more. He had rewarded his Martini for its part of the work, with four silver coins driven in between the stock and the barrel.”
On page 175, she describes “The Primaeval:” After mass there was a rush for the shooting-ground --the mark was a white stone, and the range short. The Primaeval hit often, and a man with a Mauser every time he tried. Those that missed were very close. But it was not difficult, for I hit it myself, with the Primeaval's beloved Martini, which he pressed upon me, adorned as it was with silver coins, to reward it for the lives it had taken.
On page 272, she went to the bazar in the large town of Prizren: “It is a grand bazar. Worth all the journey, for as yet it is but little spoiled with alla franga [modern style/attire\. The gold embroidery is not to be surpassed anywhere; the tailors' shops are a blaze of gorgeous colour and design. Had it not been for the difficulties of transport, I should have ruined myself. As for the carved walnut-wood frames inlaid with silver, they are the finest work of the kind I have seen anywhere. It was in Prizren in the olden days that the finest artists in gold and silver inlay flourished, and turned out yataghans and gunbarrels fit for fairy princes, and from thence they spread into Bosnia. The so-called Bosnian inlay is mainly of Albanian origin, and much of it actually Albanian handicraft.
The demand for very fine work is now slight--alla franga will maybe soon kill it--but there are still in Prizren workmen who can execute it.
The main trade is in rough and cheap ornaments for the peasants. The silver-workers are all Christian.
Pictures from:
http://www.rockislandauction.com/
http://www.ambroseantiques.com/
http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/
http://www.delcampe.fr/