(edited title) Museum's inventory: Belgium made musket.

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dauph197

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Hi Guys,

For those who did not visit the milsurp forum, I work in a museum and I'm doing the inventory of the collection right now. There is few nice pieces in this collection but there is also some artifact that I don't know at all.

I'm posting few pictures of the guns I can't surely identify. These are not mine, they belong the Citadelle's Museum in Quebec City. This week-end, I'll post picture of my personal collection here in the Blackpowder and Antiques forum. I am a collector of French made flintlocks used in New France.

But, before going any further, here the first percussion musket I have no idea of what it is. I would like to know if any of you have already saw these markings and maybe tell a bit more about it.

The musket looks like a hunting musket. There is a lot of markings under the barrel. First, on top of the barrel there is ''made in belgium'' and ''Fine Twist''. Under the barrel, few other marking and in the lockplate also.

I know it can be almost anything but I take a chance and present you this musket.

Feel free to comment, in group, we know everything!

Thanks.

Martin































 
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Greetings-It has the look of a simple trade musket made in Belgium for sale in any country . The 3 chisel marks on the lock , barrel and tang are for assembly purpose to keep right parts with the right piece. The E over LG over star is Pre-1893 manufacture. 17.4 should be the bore size in mm which would make it about .69 cal. Back action lock makes it post 1850 or so and the ornate scroll E is also Belgian proof mark. Not much more to say-in my humble opinion not a terribly valuable piece as many thousands were made in the time.
 
Thank you for your input. It is much appreciated as I'm far to be a proof markings specialist. Even if it's few words about it, it helps a lots!

Martin
 
It is an antique Belgian made percussion blackpowder muzzleloader that was made between 1866-1893.

The main proof mark (the oval with the ELG) which is a mark for the Banc d'Epreuves des Armes A' Feu De Liege (1818-present). This proof mark was used on "Black powder proof for rifles and shotguns. Can be without star and ring. In it’s small version it’s a acceptance mark on barrels that was exported in a unfinished state 1846-1893. In it’s small version it’s a black powder mark on small pistols and revolvers barrels 1866-1893. In it’s small version it’s a black powder mark on small revolvers cylinders 1866-1893".

You know that it is an intended black powder firearm by the scriptive "EL" font. This is called the Belgian provisional blackpowder proof. Since it doesn't have a double stamp, you know the firearm was made before Jan. 30, 1897. The marking "17.4" is the barrel measurements for bore and choke. There are many inspector marks that you show in your pictures (the letters with a star). Due to a fire all data on Belgian Inspector's marks before 1922 are lost.

That's all I know or can tell by the pictures. Hope that helps some. You could possibly find more out by contacting the proof house in Belgium directly.

BTW, I wish I worked at a museum doing what you do! Ahh the mystery of an old firearm and the search for it's history :)
 
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