doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 12Bore Belgian(?) Percussion Double

Hi guys. A while back I came into this percussion double gun. It is not signed and has no mark that I can find. I was hoping that some of the infinitely more learned here might recognize a particular makers handiwork or be able to add to the story of this gun.

It seems to be in really good shape and a really nice gun Gold inlays, everything works, nothing is missing or broken, original (or very very old replacement) ramrod, the bores are even shiny. At some point the stock was broken completely through the wrist and repaired. At that time the stock was refinished and the checkering freshened. Also, the right hammer has had the ear break off and had a less than elegant repair done. I think I may address that at some point. Of course, I doubt the quail will care much but it bugs me. The only things I've done so far are replace the damaged nipples and make a replacement ramrod for it to avoid using the original.






















[img]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f213/s...le/IMG_1173.jpg[/img]

Shane,
What a lovely old percussion SXS! If you want to learn more you'll probably need to show clear pictures of the undersides of the barrels where the proofmarks and inspectors stamps are typically found. In addition there's often telltale information stamped on the inside of the locks, better post photos of them too.
I almost forgot, the wood has some wonderful figure and is beautiful.
Steve

A quality piece. Nice to see that fluted barrels are nothing new! Lagopus.....

Thanks guys.

The last picture is the proofs and underside of the breech area. For some reason it will just NOT display in the original post. Weird. What's left of them is quite clear. Some of the markings have been worn smooth fron the ramrod over the years. Which in a way is a nice indication that this gun has seen its share of the field and was not the 19th century equivalent of a safe queen.

I didn't take pictures of the inside of the locks as I did not notice any markings. That said, I wasn't on the look out for any. I will be certain to take a look tonight

That may be the 'LD' of Lambert Dumoulin
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20den/a%20dumoulin%20lambert%20gb.htm
The barrels look to be Laminated Steel

Me thinks Dr. Hause is on to something. Seems to be pre-1877. There is a mechanic's name as well as the word "Liege" higher up close to the rib.



Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Well there is problem with that pre-1877 dating. LD was not registered until 1920 as a trademark.

There was a period where many muzzle loaders were being produced for the Congo trade. This one is much too nice for that, however. It looks more like a presentation piece to me.

Pete

Oh Peter, you come along and wreck the whole party. I've seen several Belgian longarms in the Congo. But I can tell you they've moved on from the muzzle-loaders.

Um, a 1st stab at the name is E./F. Screreas?

Don't know of any mechanic with that name so how about Francois Schepers as both mechanics have 8 letters:

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20s/a%20schepers%20gb.htm





Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

You guys ROCK!

Now, looking closer it is clearly Schepers. The orientationn of the "Leige" mark in relation to the name is the same. Even the way the bottom half of the name has worn off to the exact same point in the letters.

Thanks a Bunch. I knew that bunch of unsigned guns got turned out in that time period by various people making abuck. However this seemed to be of much higher quality than I would expect from a gun like that. I thought it was very odd that this grade of gun would not be signed.

I, obviously, had seen those markings before but for some reason it never occurred to me that it would be the maker. I was looking on the locks, ribs and tang.

Forgot to note the lovely, just lovely serpent style hammers. M-4 just might fancy those.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse