Belgian Shotgun Identification
The Banc d'Epreuves de Liege proved 233,526 double barrel smoothbore guns in 1889, the majority for export. In 1899 alone, the U.S. firms of Hartley & Graham and Simmons Hardware bought 90,000 shotguns, rifles, and handguns from Liege gunmakers. Most of the Belgian guns imported before WWI were not of high quality when new, and NO vintage shotgun should be fired, with any load, until examined by a double gun specialist smith.
Belgian makers
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/a% ... s%20gb.htm
Maker's marks
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/18490292
Belgian Trade names
http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_Trade_Marks.html
Proof Marks - Poincons Officiels du Banc D'Epreuves de Liege
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17575181
Final proof is the crowned ELG mark.
The Perron (tower) indicates provisional blackpowder proof even on guns later voluntary proved with smokeless powder; which are marked with a Lion over PV. If there is no Lion over PV, the gun was NOT proved for smokeless powder.
The usual c. 1900 Belgian 12 gauge bore would be 18.4 mm = .724"
Conversion table - 1 millimeter = 0.0393700787 inches
http://www.convertunits.com/from/mm/to/inches
Date of Manufacture
NON POUR BALLE - choked unrifled bores used 1878 - 1897
1898 - 1910 - Bore in mm (22 cm from breech) and muzzle (choke constriction) appear next to each other after 'choke'
1910 - 1924 - Bore in mm is over muzzle dimension
Prior to 1924 the gauge would be indicated within a diamond.
Post-1924 - A 12-70 in an Omega lying is the gauge and chamber length in mm., and would indicate the gun is chambered for 12ga 70mm - 2 3/4" length shells.
Please note that many Belgian guns will be chambered for:
2 1/2" - 63mm 20g,
2 9/16" - 65mm 16g,
and may be 2 5/8" 12g.
Date of Proof codes- Lettres Annales used after 1921
The Banc d'Epreuves de Liege proved 233,526 double barrel smoothbore guns in 1889, the majority for export. In 1899 alone, the U.S. firms of Hartley & Graham and Simmons Hardware bought 90,000 shotguns, rifles, and handguns from Liege gunmakers. Most of the Belgian guns imported before WWI were not of high quality when new, and NO vintage shotgun should be fired, with any load, until examined by a double gun specialist smith.
Belgian makers
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/a% ... s%20gb.htm
Maker's marks
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/18490292
Belgian Trade names
http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_Trade_Marks.html
Proof Marks - Poincons Officiels du Banc D'Epreuves de Liege
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17575181
Final proof is the crowned ELG mark.
The Perron (tower) indicates provisional blackpowder proof even on guns later voluntary proved with smokeless powder; which are marked with a Lion over PV. If there is no Lion over PV, the gun was NOT proved for smokeless powder.
The usual c. 1900 Belgian 12 gauge bore would be 18.4 mm = .724"
Conversion table - 1 millimeter = 0.0393700787 inches
http://www.convertunits.com/from/mm/to/inches
Date of Manufacture
NON POUR BALLE - choked unrifled bores used 1878 - 1897
1898 - 1910 - Bore in mm (22 cm from breech) and muzzle (choke constriction) appear next to each other after 'choke'
1910 - 1924 - Bore in mm is over muzzle dimension
Prior to 1924 the gauge would be indicated within a diamond.
Post-1924 - A 12-70 in an Omega lying is the gauge and chamber length in mm., and would indicate the gun is chambered for 12ga 70mm - 2 3/4" length shells.
Please note that many Belgian guns will be chambered for:
2 1/2" - 63mm 20g,
2 9/16" - 65mm 16g,
and may be 2 5/8" 12g.
Date of Proof codes- Lettres Annales used after 1921