The Belgians at that time were COPYING everything that might sell, but one has to have something TO copy. The Original, by logic, SHOULD PREDATE the Copy. Markings on this one would seem to indicate that it is the Original in this case and thus should PREDATE the available-in-Hamburg 1910 COPIES.
The "Armes & Cycles de Saint-Etienne" was very much a FRENCH establishment which did a huge amount of Government work. I have no idea as to its ownership or legal status at that time.
Seems to me that Belgium and France were (and are) separate countries, each with its own Proof laws. Proof Marks should show. Should this gun be original French, then you have a 7-year "window" of manufacture and serials might come into the equation. France was expanding globally at that time and needed a pile of guns, especially for the colonies in Africa, Oceania, Asia.
Just a historian's POV, but I do hope it helps.
.
The "Armes & Cycles de Saint-Etienne" was very much a FRENCH establishment which did a huge amount of Government work. I have no idea as to its ownership or legal status at that time.
Seems to me that Belgium and France were (and are) separate countries, each with its own Proof laws. Proof Marks should show. Should this gun be original French, then you have a 7-year "window" of manufacture and serials might come into the equation. France was expanding globally at that time and needed a pile of guns, especially for the colonies in Africa, Oceania, Asia.
Just a historian's POV, but I do hope it helps.
.
