claycrusher1900:

18.5mm more than likely is the metric designation for 12 bore. The "CJ" or "GJ" is probably the Belgian script intertwined "EL". The "crown" could be the star of the controller's mark. All above leads to a guess of Belgian origin post 1853(but could be much later) without a pic. How about a pic of it just open? I will agree that the fences are from the pinfire era similar to what one would see on a circa 1870 Purdey pinfire or a John Blissett. I believe the Charles Lancaster had shallow indentations in the standing breech to accept the brass based shotshell and the barrels moved forward slightly before dropping.


Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Last edited by ellenbr; 07/25/08 08:52 AM.