| Boyliya | |
|---|---|
 Bulagarian Boyliya | |
| Type | Musket |
| Service history | |
| In service | 18th century to early 20th century |
| Used by | 
Bulgaria |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 18th to mid 19th century |
| Specifications | |
| Barrel length | 30 - 44 inches |
| Caliber | .62 - .80 |
| Action | Miquelet 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
Stock: The 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
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, the muskets remain highly prized and coveted by collectors in Bulgaria for their historical significance and artistry.[4][3]
Gallery
-
Trio of Boyliya
-
Shishane, Kariofili, Kubur, Tançica, Boyliya
-
Closeup of 1792 dated Boyliya
See also
- 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
- ^ a b c Astvatsaturyan, E.G. (2002). Турецкое Оружие (in Russian). Атлант. ISBN 5-901555-10-4.
- ^ a b Elgood, Robert (2009). The Arms of Greece and Her Balkan Neighbours in the Ottoman Period. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0500251577.
- ^ 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) - ^ a b Нурков, Иван (1987). От лъка до кримката (in Bulgarian). Издателство На Отечествения Фронт.
- ^ 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
