OWD,
You are right in that it has something to with Belgium, but the gun is an Ugartechea SLE. It was found in an auction in Spain and has both Spanish and Belgium proof marks. It is currently in Spain undergoing restoration. For years, it was rumored that Ugartechea along with AyA had made some guns using the Beesley action, but I have never seen one until now --only it is not a true Beesley, but something else. The following pictures will clear up some questions, but leave many more unanswered...
The Spanish have always
copied other kinds of guns as far as I know. However, I have never seen another H&H action like this. Look at the way in which the bridle fits into the head of the stock. Whoever built this gun knew what they were doing. Did Ugartechea invent something new that went unnoticed? A
True H&H
Self-opener?
Here is an AyA Senior for comparison:
Here is a Defourny action for comparison:
These are obviously three different kinds of actions...
