doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Unidentified French/Belgian 16 GA SxS

The Soviet reparations angle makes a lot of sense. I was under the impression the Z-M 746 gun was here in the USA.

Also, on the "Chevalier" stamped on the gun, I'm going to bet it was a model name relating to "grade". Maybe there was a fancier "Roi" or "Dauphin" or even a simple "Travailler", too.

Raimey, OK, here are two more pics forward and to the rear of the flats (behind the lug). To the best of my knowledge, these are the remaining markings on the gun.





Cheers,
Steve

The gun was given to me by my father -in-law (born in 1927) now with Alzheimers. It was owned by his father who, to the best of my knowledge did not participate in WW I but had owned it prior to his son's birth. This supports the 1923 date but doesn't explain where it came from.

Steve

Steve:
I think it is a little earlier, possibly circa WWI? I think a tube maker's mark or maker's mark can be found in the red enclosed area. Looks like CA? Regardless, it was made in Liege more than likely by a smaller concern considering the serial number. I don't see the weight of the tubeset anywhere?



Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, It's definitely a "CA", is the 958 the serial no? How do you know it was made in Liege?

Thanks for all your help!

Seve

Steve:
Looks like there may be another letter after the CA? All the proofmarks are from the Liege facility and it was not very economical to make it elsewhere and then have it proofed in Liege. The mechanics embraced mechanization early on and there was virtually no one in the world that could compete with them on price. I would say the 952 is the serial number and not an assembly number, but the possibility exists.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Raimey,
Agreed on all counts. I looked into "chevalier" but there is no hit in the Gadisseur book. And the name is common enough that it would be hard to pinpoint without a location.
It might be a retailer anywhere French is spoken.
I would doubt if it was a model name as why would a non branded gun bear a model name? That would seem totally pointless.
Best regards,
Martin

Cheers then, WildCattle. At least it can be stated that someone has exhausted a search attempt. Why do you think the weight is missing, if indeed it is missing.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

I am not sure. I thought it had been mandatory since 1892.
WC-

I missed the very first post that said "Chevalier" "A Paris" (left barrel).
Well, that does it as far as location.
It turns out that when E. Lefaucheux closed down in 1881, he was succeeded by "Chevalier et Dru". Apparently Chevalier closed down in 1889.
That seems quite ancient for a Greener bolted boxlock, but that would explain the lack of barrel weight.
On the other hand the 16 C in a rhombus appeared in 1898. So I am still confused....
WC-