Help identifying old shotgun

Wyldstallions

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Hello. I need some help identifying an old shotgun I picked up the other day. The only markings on it are as follows.
-“JB Ronge” is on the side of the barrel
-“H.J.A.B. Special” is on the top between the barrels.

All serial numbers are matching but has a replacement stock.

The receiver and barrel are both intricately engraved and the receiver looks to be nickel plated and the barrels are blued.

Also if anyone knows what “H.J.A.B.” Is an acronym for, let me know.

Thanks.
 
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It’s a French made shotgun by JB Ronge and Sons in Liege, France.
Those H.J.A.B. are likely maker’s initials.
Is it a 16 gauge?
 
It’s a French made shotgun by JB Ronge and Sons in Liege, France.
Those H.J.A.B. are likely maker’s initials.
Is it a 16 gauge?

Many of those shotguns were made with "specialty" marks, such as HJAB Special, which more likely indicates the initials of a US business that bought and sold such guns as promotional items for their stores or whatever.

I knew a fellow that was given a similar shotgun when he bought a bunch of barbed wire, from the "Bellknap Hardware" company, while he lived in the southern US.

OP, your particular shotgun is very nice, most of them weren't that well done.

You will need to be careful about the loads you shoot through her though and it might even be chambered for shorter shot shells, that may not be available today.

The engraving is nice and done in a common style for those shotguns back in the day.

The steel used for those receivers is on the soft side, so again, use caution and make sure you know the chamber dimensions.

It wasn't uncommon for many folks that owned those guns to have the forcing cones opened up so they could use readily available, off the shelf ammo.
 
It’s a 12 gauge

That was the most common gauge for those guns, with 16 gauge next and the very odd 28 guage.

I haven't looked lately, but Intersurplus may have some very similar or even identical, other than the HJAB stamp, in their inventories.

These intermediate grade shotguns varied in value at the time off manufacture, because they were all custom ordered with different options available.
 
Ok, putting up a video was easier so here is the gun. Yes, the butt is a replacement and the whole thing like like $#!t but it was $40 and I like old projects as well as I do rebluing and nickel plating etc.

https://youtu.be/V8odl4OIJdQ

Well, thats a first.
Someone taking some footage ad posting to youtube.
Impressive Sir, impressive.
Rob
 
Well, thats a first.
Someone taking some footage ad posting to youtube.
Impressive Sir, impressive.
Rob

If you think that’s good, someone was asking if colt woodsman parts would interchange to the Norinco copy M-93 and I stripped both of mine and tried. Not much would fit right across but some good info still. Ive been amazed how helpful people on this forum are and am doing my best to help where I can. YouTube seems to be the easiest way.
 
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