Good afternoon all!

Have recently got hold of side-by-side shotgun and trying to identify year of production and other details which can be discovered basing on marking this gun has.
So far it has marking of J.B.Ronge & son manufacturer, other guy told me that gun probably has relation ot James Purdey & sons (who has ordered barrels from Ronge), year of production - between 1912 and 1914.
Overall condition is good, would be great to know value range.

Thank you in advance for any kind of help in ID of this gun!

Here we go with pictures:



















Rgds,
Anton

Strange I've heard the name before but I had to look in six reference books to find a listing and when I did there was very little information on this maker. Actually found the reference in two books but both were by the same author. The maker is Belgian ,can tell that by the proof marks stamped on the barrels (the letters "ELG" in an oval with a crown on top). The two references have the following to say:
"J.B. Ronge . Founded in Liege,Belgium in 1788. 1927 catalog presents them as manufactures of high quality side by sides using the best designs and materials.
The other reference says:
J.B. Ronge of Belgium, no other history known. (it then goes on to describe an observed gun.
32 gauge Boxlock,extractors sling swivels (common on European made guns), single set trigger, Fancy Wood, engraved, checkered stock. The value given is between $750 and $2,000.
It is clear that your gun is a hammerless sidelock and had dual triggers.
The gun has nothing to do with James Purdey. Given the possible years of manufacture, the gun may or may not have damascus barrels. Please before you attempt to shoot it, have it checked out by a good competent gunsmith.

It is a very nice looking 7 pin sidelock. I believe it dates between 1910-1924. Wish I had it amongst my Belgian guns.

Ronge was certainly one of Belgium's premier gunmakers of the day. The connection with Purdey would be perhaps the supply of rough bored barrel tubes as Purdey did use Boehler steel at one time although I imagine that Purdey could have purchased these from the Boehler factory as did Ronge.
Any such connection would do nothing to add value to your gun, in fact I would have thought that a maker of Ronge's stature would not not have been particularly interested in promoting any link with another gunmaker.
From your pics I can not decide if the action and lock plates have been polished at some time, partly losing the engraving pattern in the process, or is this impression down to your photography skills .
If your gun remains in proof and in original condition I think an auction value of up to £1000, including buyers commission, might be achievable in the United Kingdom. I have no idea of value in the USA or Europe.
Quality sidelocks, including non-ejectors such as yours, will always find a market but of course condition is the key to any sale.

Sans
Do you have any information as to the time period Ronge in business? All the information I have id that they were founded in 1771 and were still making guns in 1927.
Thanks
Ned Fall

Ned,
I have nothing specific on Ronge.
Here is a link that gives some info :
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/ar ... e%20gb.htm.

Hi all and thank you for your comments!

From what I know J.B.Ronge et fils was established 1789 and existed as such till 1921, when merge of Liege Manufacture and Ronge took place, forming up new entity - ARMAF Societe Anonyme. In 1940 ARMAF has been taken over by Nazis, occupied Belgium and that was the end of company.

It is also said that Ronge was small to medium size producer of high value guns.

As for the year of manufacture - my source keep saying 1912-1914, but not giving any reference to the book or markings' legend.

Thanks for advice on barell test, will do so.

If any more details will be advised on this piece of gun - will appreciate a lot!

Rgds,
Anton

Actually, yes and no!
J.B. Ronge, Fils. did merge with ARMAF in 1921, but continued making J.B. Ronge shotguns for some time independently!
I own a 1928 original catalogue.
Your gun is very nice!
It's no Lebeau Courally, but firms like
J.B Ronge, Charles Braekers were pioneering, patenting
early high end hammerless, three bite mechanisms similar to Defourney!
That is to say, weather assisted or self-opening, these three bite mechanisms
were very advanced for the '20s, and they eliminated the need for a 'Greener
Cross bolt.'
They are self arming, triggers 1 then 2, and when closed, often automatically
set safety to on!
Here is the Belgian SxS dating code:
http://www.hunting.be/wp-content/upload ... -Marks.pdf

.

Because that shotgun was apparently made prior to the ammo company upgrades of 1926, I would advise shooting only low-pressure specialty shells in it, from the like of RST, etc, etc.


In any event, welcome to SGW, both Anton and DTC123 ! !

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The original post gun was Smokeless Powder proved, has highest quality Boehler steel barrels, with 2 3/4" chambers, and was proved for a maximum service load of 1 1/4 oz. 3 1/4 Dram Eq.; a load with pressures similar to today's SAAMI maximum.

That said NO vintage double should be shot, with any load, until evaluated by a spam with the interest, expertise, and equipment (bore scope and wall thickness gauge) to properly do so.
And in light of the age of the wood, it is certainly advisable to use low recoil loads, esp. in light weight game guns.