I'd guess Belgian for the Bohemian market but if you will divorce the tubeset from the frame, there will be marks on the underside that will point to a gun making centre & possibly a maker or pool of mechanics.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

 

Ellenbr,

Thank you for the quick response. I divorced the tubeset from the frame and just as you said there were markings on the underside! I have a stamping of ELG, 16.8, JP, and what looks like a crown above an X on both barrels. Is there any information on these sort of proof marks?

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... 201134.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... 201154.jpg
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz21 ... 201142.jpg

Thanks !

 

Belgian indeed. The crowns over the inspector's touchmark of X on the breech-plugs puts it pre-1879.

Either PeteM's site of Damascus-Barrels.com or
Drew's site of Belgian Shotgun ID Guide being one of the 1st threads.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

 

So the inspectors marks confirms that it is very possibly a mid 19th century shotgun. Interesting.

After doing some more research on Damascus-Barrels, the JP trademark stands for the makers name of Pirotte J and Fils. Ill be sure to look more into the forums and websites you have provided me with!

Hopefully ill be able to find out more things about this interesting firearm.

Thanks !

 

Try littlegun.be also. I probably can provide the answers but if you dig you'll learn how to fish.

http://littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisa ... s%20gb.htm

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

 

Nice looking old gun with back-action locks. The proof marks appear to be Belgian, and it does have a "Nock's Patent Breech" and wedges for ease of disassembly. From what I can see in the pictures, even the nipples look serviceable.

Just use a little 0000 steel wool and oil (like 3-in-1) to clean up the light rust (NOT "stainless steel" wool - it is too harsh). I wouldn't reblue it - that destroys any value. If you can, check out the bore for pitting. You just want to restore it, not refinish it.

A few years back, I knew guys that used black powder with the old guns after a gun smith had checked them out. (I did, too, but with a modern replica 14 ga. SXS.)

 

Please be aware that the barrels are "Faux Twist"; sometimes "Plain iron" (a lower quality pre-fluid steel barrel) with an engraved Twist pattern.
https://docs.google.com/a/damascusknowl ... edit?pli=1

I would be very reluctant to use any black powder load in the gun.

 

Hello,

I recently acquired the exact same gun as Tom's and was wondering if anyone might have any other information on it, or if Tom had found out any more information. Very curious as to the possible value and provenance. Thanks, John
.