Wikipedia

Boyliya

Boyliya
Bulagarian Boyliya
TypeMusket
Service history
In service18th century to early 20th century
Used by Bulgaria
Production history
Produced18th to mid 19th century
Specifications
Barrel length30 - 44 inches
Caliber.62 - .80
ActionMiquelet Lock or Percussion (conversion)

The Boyliya (Bulgarian: Бойлия) was a smoothbore musket[1] produced and used throughout Bulgaria and its neighboring territories within the Ottoman Empire from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. A symbol of resistance and status, it was the characteristic arm of the Haiduti.

Design and features

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Bulgarian_Miquelet_Lock

Stock: he stock is similar in form to the Turkish Shishane but features a much slimmer butt, more in line with contemporary Western European stock designs.[2]

Lock: The Boyliya's lock is its most standout feature. It is a unique and original Bulgarian pattern of the miquelet lock, not found on other regional firearms[1]. The lockplate, cock, and bridge are almost always fully sheathed in brass or silver, a feature that may have served both decorative and practical purposes, such as protecting the mechanism from black powder fouling.[3] The following video depicts a Boyliya lock being operated [1]

Barrel: Although the town of Sliven was well-regarded for producing high-quality barrels (both rifled and smoothbore), some examples of the Boyliya were constructed using imported barrels from Italy, England, and Germany.[2]

Decoration: Most specimens are highly personalized, featuring engraved silver decorations, and often inscribed with the date and/or the owner's name on a piece of mother of pearl on the right side of the stock, behind the lock. Extensive use of Khatam style rosette inlays made from brass & horn. The butt is wrapped in a gold embroidered velvet fabric.[1]

Origin and use

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The Boyliya draws its origins from the town of Sliven[4], which was a major center of weapons manufacturing in the Ottoman Empire.

Beyond its practical use, the Boyliya held significant cultural importance. As a powerful symbol of resistance, it was a point of patriotic pride during the Bulgarian struggle against Ottoman rule, to which folk songs were written about it[5]. Today, they muskets remain highly prized and coveted by collectors in Bulgaria for their historical significance and artistry.[4][3]

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  • Trio of Boyliya
    Trio of Boyliya
  • Shishane, Kariofili, Kubur, Tançica, Boyliya
    Shishane, Kariofili, Kubur, Tançica, Boyliya
  • Closeup of 1792 dated Boyliya
    Closeup of 1792 dated Boyliya
  • Bashi-bazouk armed with a Boyliya & with Kubur & Yataghan tucked into a Silahlik
    Bashi-bazouk armed with a Boyliya & with Kubur & Yataghan tucked into a Silahlik

See also

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  • Shishane, another popular firearm used in the Ottoman Empire
  • Kariofili, musket of the Greek Revolution
  • Tançica, Albanian long barreled musket
  • Džeferdar, ornate musket from Montenegro
  • Khirimi, Caucasian miquelet musket
  • Moukahla, a North African snaphaunce musket
  • Jezail, Afghan rifle popularized in media

References

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  1. ^ a b c Astvatsaturyan, E.G. (2002). Турецкое Оружие (in Russian). Атлант. ISBN 5-901555-10-4.
  2. ^ a b Elgood, Robert (2009). The Arms of Greece and Her Balkan Neighbours in the Ottoman Period. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0500251577.
  3. ^ a b Добриков, Калчев, Огняан, Виолин (2025). Бьлгарските Кремьчин Пушки В Османската Империа 17-19 Век (in Bulgarian). Варна.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Нурков, Иван (1987). От лъка до кримката (in Bulgarian). Издателство На Отечествения Фронт.
  5. ^ Pietrek, Ivanka Ivanova (2017). Pearls of Bulgarian Folklore: New Songs from the Pazardzhik Region. ISBN 9783745045253.
  • Astvatsaturyan, E.G. Турецкое Оружие 2002
  • Elgood, Robert. Firearms of the Islamic World in the Tareg Rajab Museum, Kuwait 1995
  • Elgood, Robert. The Arms of Greece and her Balkan Neighbours in the Ottoman Period 2009