Pieper Arms info

P

PBDave

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello I have recently come across a Pieper Arms double barrel shotgun as was wondering about it the following information is all I can find out about it

Belgum 592 stamp

E?IE Damascus
MO??IED DIANA
Serial# with a W and 12 below that

Very nice Shotgun, I've been told it's a Domestic barrel so I'm not willing to put any shells though it myself

thank you

Dave
 
Henri Pieper was a Belgian gun maker from 1860-1898. When he died, family members took over and lasted until about 1950. You have a Modified Diana model shotgun with damascus barrels. The modified having something to do with his patent for attaching the barrels to the breech monoblock. Pieper shotguns were sturdy and reliable but most were not of real high quality. They are not worth a great deal value wise. If you had your gun checked out by a competent gunsmith, you may find that it is still shootable with low pressure loads. But DO NOT SHOOT IT unless it is checked out and not with modern loads. By the way, if you do an internet search you will find all kinds of info on this maker. I found this in about 5 minutes. There should also be proof marks on the action flats. You can find a Belgium proof chart on the net that will help decipher some of the marks.
 
PBDave said:
Hello I have recently come across a Pieper Arms double barrel shotgun as was wondering about it the following information is all I can find out about it

Belgum 592 stamp

E?IE Damascus
MO??IED DIANA
Serial# with a W and 12 below that

Very nice Shotgun, I've been told it's a Domestic barrel so I'm not willing to put any shells though it myself

thank you

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave, I have a number of Piepers and, once they had been examined by a competent gunsmith, I enjoy shooting all of them with appropriate loads.

Henri Pieper was a leader in the development of factory production of sporting arms, as opposed to the small workshop that was most common in Europe and GB at the time. He was one of the founding partners of the entity that became FN, which operates to this day as the owner and producer of Browning, among other brands.

Please post or PM me any photos if you can and I may be able to provide more information. I have a modified Diana myself and BTW, you probably meant damascus barrels, not domestic barrels.
 
gunsaholic said:
Henri Pieper was a Belgian gun maker from 1860-1898. When he died, family members took over and lasted until about 1950. You have a Modified Diana model shotgun with damascus barrels. The modified having something to do with his patent for attaching the barrels to the breech monoblock. Pieper shotguns were sturdy and reliable but most were not of real high quality. They are not worth a great deal value wise. If you had your gun checked out by a competent gunsmith, you may find that it is still shootable with low pressure loads. But DO NOT SHOOT IT unless it is checked out and not with modern loads. By the way, if you do an internet search you will find all kinds of info on this maker. I found this in about 5 minutes. There should also be proof marks on the action flats. You can find a Belgium proof chart on the net that will help decipher some of the marks.
Click to expand...

Gunsaholic, my understanding is the guns using the branding "Diana" have his original patent regarding the mono-block construction, which dates to I think about 1880. "Modified Diana" refers to a change in the design that occurred about 1885. This information is subject to correction by those that know more than me, of which there are many.
 
Last edited:
canvasback said:
Gunsaholic, my understanding is the guns using the branding "Diana" have his original patent regarding the mono-block construction, which dates to I think about 1880. "Modified Diana" refers to a change in the design that occurred about 1885. This information is subject to correction by those that no more than me, of which there are many.
Click to expand...

Could very well be. From my research I took it to mean the modified Diana was something to do with a design change in the monoblock design from his original monoblock design. Maybe it was a change in the basic model. Or maybe we are saying the same thing in different words. Wished I had one of each to look at!:D Henri Pieper actually turned out some very nice guns. Canvasback, are any of yours highly engraved?
 
gunsaholic said:
Could very well be. From my research I took it to mean the modified Diana was something to do with a design change in the monoblock design from his original monoblock design. Maybe it was a change in the basic model. Or maybe we are saying the same thing in different words. Wished I had one of each to look at!:D Henri Pieper actually turned out some very nice guns. Canvasback, are any of yours highly engraved?
Click to expand...

I think we are saying the same thing. Haha.

Here's a couple of mine. 12 gauge pre WW1 boxlock and a side lock modified diana that dates to 1886, I think. The sidelock is in need of restoration, including a new stock. But I liked the action so it sits in my safe waiting for the day when all my other guns have been looked after.

_DSC2164.jpg


P1040214.jpg


P1040216.jpg
 
Gunsaholic, I don't like to post this in a public forum, Ha Ha, but it's my opinion Pieper's guns are generally undervalued. I have more and purposefully look for them. But, like any volume gun company, there are the better ones and the not so good ones. I like the better ones.
 
canvasback said:
Gunsaholic, I don't like to post this in a public forum, Ha Ha, but it's my opinion Pieper's guns are generally undervalued. I have more and purposefully look for them. But, like any volume gun company, there are the better ones and the not so good ones. I like the better ones.
Click to expand...

Those are a couple of nice guns. I really like that box lock. :cheers: I think I will be on the watch for one in the not too distant future. And yes, you are right when you say they are undervalued. Funny how that is with some makes of guns.

I hope the OP posts a pic of his. Would love to see it.
 
gunsaholic said:
Those are a couple of nice guns. I really like that box lock. :cheers: I think I will be on the watch for one in the not too distant future. And yes, you are right when you say they are undervalued. Funny how that is with some makes of guns.

I hope the OP posts a pic of his. Would love to see it.
Click to expand...

Agreed about the OP posting photos.

I think it is the same with guns as any other branded product. The better known your brand is and the more associated your brand is with higher quality, the more money you can get, when compared to a similar quality item with a lesser brand.

There is a guy on doublegunshop.com who did an analysis of auction prices on guns over a multi year period, trying to establish a three axis relationship between what he calls brand value, original quality and current condition. It was quite interesting, especially to see the influence of brand name on guns of equivalent original quality and current condition.
 
I have a Modified Diana 12 gau. hammer SxS with damascus barrels, very nice gun with some scroll engraving and a nicely figured stock. I think Henri produced guns of many grades, styles and action designs. Henri invented the mono-block barrel mounting system for which he won some acclaim at the 18-- Worlds Fair in Paris, my gun has this information on the barrels. I could be wrong but perhaps a Diana does not use the mono-block system vs the modified Diana which does? BTW nice guns CB especially the box-lock. --- John303.
 
John303 said:
I have a Modified Diana 12 gau. hammer SxS with damascus barrels, very nice gun with some scroll engraving and a nicely figured stock. I think Henri produced guns of many grades, styles and action designs. Henri invented the mono-block barrel mounting system for which he won some acclaim at the 18-- Worlds Fair in Paris, my gun has this information on the barrels. I could be wrong but perhaps a Diana does not use the mono-block system vs the modified Diana which does? BTW nice guns CB especially the box-lock. --- John303.
Click to expand...

Hi John. Post a pic if you can. Would love to see it.

As I understand it, the Diana is the first incarnation of Pieper's use of his monoblock patented design and at some point he changed some aspect of the design (I have not examined the patents) and thereafter referred to it as the Modified Diana.
 
Here's a couple more. Both 16 gauge, both 29" barrels, both chopper lump barrels, etc. They are identical but for the engraving and they are four serial numbers apart.

2Piepers-SideReceiver.jpg


2Piepers-TopLever.jpg
 
Brian, what's wrong with us? Did we come on a little strong about Piepers? The OP seems to have abandoned us and if it weren't for John, we would just be talking to each other with a bunch of people eavesdropping. LOL

Now please, someone besides me post a picture of a gun! Doesn't even have to be a Pieper at this point.
 
The Pieper with the engraving is one of the next on my list for a full restoration. But for that gun, what it means is new finish on the wood, new case hardening of the receiver and that's it. The barrels were done just before I bought it. Not perfect but good enough as this is a gun I like to use.

The other I will leave as is. A matched pair...one for fair days and one for foul. LOL
 
canvasback said:
Brian, what's wrong with us? Did we come on a little strong about Piepers? The OP seems to have abandoned us and if it weren't for John, we would just be talking to each other with a bunch of people eavesdropping. LOL

Now please, someone besides me post a picture of a gun! Doesn't even have to be a Pieper at this point.
Click to expand...

Yes, where is everyone. We didn't intend to scare anyone off. We just like "gun talk". Well, I can't show a pic of my Pieper cause I ain't got one (yet). So here is the best I could do for a Belgium gun. It is a Liege United Arms in 28 gauge I picked up this summer off of the EE. It sure is nice to carry after grouse. Maybe we should start a new thread on pics of Belgian guns.:rolleyes:

DSC00854.jpg

288.jpg
 
Brian, how do you like using a hammer gun? Don't have any yet but keep thinking about it. And what's the barrel length on that one?

James
 
29 1/2" barrels. It takes awhile to get used to using hammers but I enjoy them. Just gotta make sure your thumb doesn't slip off the hammers when pulling them back. Of course, first you have to remember to #### them! They're also a little slower in operation than a hammerless gun but it's all part of the fun. This little 28 really is a nice swinging gun and so light to carry.

It's probably almost as nice to carry as a single shot Tolley!!
 
Last edited:
I've taken some pics. anyone willing to post them if I Email asap them to you. I have seen some pics. of Piepers with a step in the barrels at the mono-block wasn't impressed by the effect. Anyway someone PM me their Email addy if they wish. John303.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom