Here,s an interesting Gyot story. In the early 1980,s I traded a Browning Rifle for A Gyot shotgun.The gun had been brought back to North America in the kit bag of a soldier returning from Europe following the end of world WW2.The problem with the gun was the barrels had been crushed near the muzzle.According to the owner, the gun had been taken from a fallen German Soldier following a skirmish at a French Chateau.Recognising it as a fine gun but not wanting it used again by the enemy,the soldier crushed the ends of the barrels in the great doors of the Chateau.
Here are the details of this gun.
Name on rib: Gyot A Paris, 12 Rue De Ponthieu.
Serial #2903 No; 1 of pair.Number on barrels 25550
Type. Bar Action [sidelock] Hammer gun.Bar-in-wood, top lever opening, with Purdey third bite lock up.
28 inch, fine stipe Damascus barrels,[Could have been of Belgian origin] both 1/2 choke.
Proof marks, London black powder, Not for ball.[1875-1887]
The gun was fitted with sling swivels
Engraving, 90% cover, finest scroll. Makers name on locks.
Escutcheon, Engraved witha ducal crown and rampant Lion.
The gun was equal to London,s BEST!
Gyot was active in the English market in the late 1880,s. For example he was a competitor in the Hurlingham gun trials of 1897. His gun out performed many of those entered by leading English makers.
No, I don,t have the gun, after retaining it for many years, toying with the idea of resleeving it was ultimately sold, "as is," to a well respected collector in the U.S.A for $1200.
The gun featured in this post could easily be the #2 gun to the gun described above. However #1 was in better shape apart from the barrels!
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 04/16/09 08:40 AM.
