Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Walked into a gun shop today for something else and emerged with an old Belgian sxs as well (please do not ask why because there is simply no logical explanation)!
12ga, 2 3/4 chamber, 30 inch bbls, fixed F/M, extractors and cast neutral – fits very well.
As you may have noticed, the stock/fore end had been refinished at some point, appears the forend wood may have been shaved off a bit more than necessary.
Lockup tight considering the gun’s age (guess likely 30-40 yrs?). Screws not buggered at all although one image does show as such. Wood in very good shape with no cracks or chips etc although some images apparently do show as such.
Excellent bores, no dents. Triggers seem a bit 'floppy' but don’t believe there will be concerns - didn't malfunction at least with snap caps (safety of/on positions). The firearm, apparently had been used a lot although not abused.
I do not have any experience/knowledge on this particular make nor could I find much info via web search. Hoping some of you may provide insight. I shall try and get a couple more images of the flats. I just realized that a gentleman from Calgary had written his name and the year 1932 inside the fore end wood (perhaps his age or the date acquired - gun is that old?
).
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSshotgun.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0190.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0175.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0178.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSlockup.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSlowerreceiv.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0193.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0184.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSbarrelribma.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/ug.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210085.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210084.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210083.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210079.jpg
Thanks everyone for your comments and input. For the curious, I was able to communicate with an active member of this website - littlegun.be - and was provided with the following data (most of the info were already there basis the stamps that I could compare on the firearms already listed therein):
QUOTE.....the Belgians apparently didn't care much about the language structure
It is about a traditional shotgun to juxtaposed barrels smooth, gauges 12 of them.
The lock is of hammerless type, key “Top Lever”
The tail of breech is equipped with a safety with slide of the type “Galand”.
The mounting of drowning is cut with English without cheek, with the catch of hand finely squared.
I could not determine the system of closing, the photographs being not very clear on this subject.
Engraving is also of the English type with bouquets.
It carries the punches of the bench of tests of Liege, namely:
ELG * in a crowned oval: acceptance post 1893.
U *: countermark of the controller post 1877.
Peron: inspection post 1853.
12-70 in an omega lying: gauge nominal and length of the casing. In use of 1924 to our days.
Letter j: anal letter of 1931. (Date of manufacture of your weapon)
PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the powder without smoke, of use of 1898 to 1968.
1Kg 507: weight of the barrel which can draw from the powders without smoke (weapons smooth) of use of 1924 to our days.
Choke18.5: chokes barrels: gauge to 22 cm of the breech, of use of 1924 to 1968.
Other markings belong to the manufacturer of Liège, namely:
ML* and crowned in an oval: mark of the “Manufacture liégeoise d’armes à feu”, street of Vertbois, 54 in Liege, marks deposited the 03.03.1890. (See site for more details on this company)
ACIER SPECIAL ML crowned: mark deposited by this same firm the 30.11.1893.
Ultimately, your weapon seems to be in good condition of conservation although it was born in 1931. It is envisaged for the modern powder or without smoke. However, if you wish to use it, I could not too advise you to make carry out a revision of this weapon by a qualified arms manufacturer. Safety above all!!
In appendix, a page of a catalogue of Manufacture liégeoise d’armes à feu dating from the beginning of the 20th century and showing a weapon similar to yours.
UNQUOTE
So the gun is 76 yrs old although apart from the somewhat floppy triggers (not an issue) the boxlock is still in very good shape. Extremely clean action (probably done at the gunshop). The bbls did "ring" nicely when I tested prior to purchase.
The gunshop also told me (maybe I heard wrong) that they had used hevi shot 1 5/8oz loads for test fire but I later realized that load is available in 3 inch and not 2 3/4 - something I would need to validate because I specifically remember him mentioning hevi shot. Anyway, low brass 1oz or 1 1/8 oz loads are all I am planning on using in this gun or perhaps Gamebore shells if I can get my hands on some.
How the sxs will perform still remains to be seen On the other hand if the gun turns out to be a dud, well, one can't win 'em all Wonder if that gentleman R. Harvey from Calgary, Year 1932 is still alive and well? and what great stories of his days in the field would he have to share?
12ga, 2 3/4 chamber, 30 inch bbls, fixed F/M, extractors and cast neutral – fits very well.
As you may have noticed, the stock/fore end had been refinished at some point, appears the forend wood may have been shaved off a bit more than necessary.
Lockup tight considering the gun’s age (guess likely 30-40 yrs?). Screws not buggered at all although one image does show as such. Wood in very good shape with no cracks or chips etc although some images apparently do show as such.
Excellent bores, no dents. Triggers seem a bit 'floppy' but don’t believe there will be concerns - didn't malfunction at least with snap caps (safety of/on positions). The firearm, apparently had been used a lot although not abused.
I do not have any experience/knowledge on this particular make nor could I find much info via web search. Hoping some of you may provide insight. I shall try and get a couple more images of the flats. I just realized that a gentleman from Calgary had written his name and the year 1932 inside the fore end wood (perhaps his age or the date acquired - gun is that old?
).http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSshotgun.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0190.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0175.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0178.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSlockup.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSlowerreceiv.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0193.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/100_0184.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/UG13659LiegoiseDArmesSXSbarrelribma.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/ug.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210085.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210084.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210083.jpg
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l25/sharps4570/P4210079.jpg
Thanks everyone for your comments and input. For the curious, I was able to communicate with an active member of this website - littlegun.be - and was provided with the following data (most of the info were already there basis the stamps that I could compare on the firearms already listed therein):
QUOTE.....the Belgians apparently didn't care much about the language structure
It is about a traditional shotgun to juxtaposed barrels smooth, gauges 12 of them.
The lock is of hammerless type, key “Top Lever”
The tail of breech is equipped with a safety with slide of the type “Galand”.
The mounting of drowning is cut with English without cheek, with the catch of hand finely squared.
I could not determine the system of closing, the photographs being not very clear on this subject.
Engraving is also of the English type with bouquets.
It carries the punches of the bench of tests of Liege, namely:
ELG * in a crowned oval: acceptance post 1893.
U *: countermark of the controller post 1877.
Peron: inspection post 1853.
12-70 in an omega lying: gauge nominal and length of the casing. In use of 1924 to our days.
Letter j: anal letter of 1931. (Date of manufacture of your weapon)
PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the powder without smoke, of use of 1898 to 1968.
1Kg 507: weight of the barrel which can draw from the powders without smoke (weapons smooth) of use of 1924 to our days.
Choke18.5: chokes barrels: gauge to 22 cm of the breech, of use of 1924 to 1968.
Other markings belong to the manufacturer of Liège, namely:
ML* and crowned in an oval: mark of the “Manufacture liégeoise d’armes à feu”, street of Vertbois, 54 in Liege, marks deposited the 03.03.1890. (See site for more details on this company)
ACIER SPECIAL ML crowned: mark deposited by this same firm the 30.11.1893.
Ultimately, your weapon seems to be in good condition of conservation although it was born in 1931. It is envisaged for the modern powder or without smoke. However, if you wish to use it, I could not too advise you to make carry out a revision of this weapon by a qualified arms manufacturer. Safety above all!!
In appendix, a page of a catalogue of Manufacture liégeoise d’armes à feu dating from the beginning of the 20th century and showing a weapon similar to yours.
UNQUOTE
So the gun is 76 yrs old
although apart from the somewhat floppy triggers (not an issue) the boxlock is still in very good shape. Extremely clean action (probably done at the gunshop). The bbls did "ring" nicely when I tested prior to purchase. The gunshop also told me (maybe I heard wrong) that they had used hevi shot 1 5/8oz loads for test fire but I later realized that load is available in 3 inch and not 2 3/4 - something I would need to validate because I specifically remember him mentioning hevi shot. Anyway, low brass 1oz or 1 1/8 oz loads are all I am planning on using in this gun or perhaps Gamebore shells if I can get my hands on some.
How the sxs will perform still remains to be seen
On the other hand if the gun turns out to be a dud, well, one can't win 'em all Wonder if that gentleman R. Harvey from Calgary, Year 1932 is still alive and well? and what great stories of his days in the field would he have to share?
Last edited:
