mahargsggib Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Just bought this interesting looking machine, in fact I haven't even picked it up yet. Hoping someone can identify whether it's genuine or just a good looking wall hanger. Any info on the ole' girl would be appreciated as I am new to shotguns and antiques tend to be a specialist subject. Yes, I know I should've done my homework first but I paid what I consider as a reasonable price even if it is a fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 What details have you been given? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 At a guess i`d say it`s an early Belgian made pinfire built on the action designed by Casimir Lefaucheux. I don`t have the time but if you Google the above you`ll find loads of info. and pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Looks like a continental gun ,are there any proof marks ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Proof mark's will give some detailes and there might be a makers mark with them as well, Post some close up's of the proof mark's and see if th PW encyclopedia can shed some light on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philm Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Welcome to PW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Hi team, hey thanks for the feedback, the gun is being sent as we speak so will go over it with the macro lens and post any markings I find. Quietly relieved that no one has said it's a fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 A fake what though, realy depends on what you think you have bought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 It`s no fake. I`m sure by now you`ve looked at the images on Google under something like "Lefauchaux pinfire shotgun" where you`ll see dozens of pictures of the same or similar gun. One of the more intriguing things about this style of gun was that the Belgian trade continued to make them long after they had become obselete. It`ll be interesting to see if the proof marks reveal a possible date of manufacture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted July 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Paul223: I bought this on impulse, then remembered how I'd seen immitation antique swords and guns in Turkey and Egypt and they were very convincing replicas. mudpatten: the gun is being couriered today so I'll get close ups of any markings I can find and post them, I'm intrigued to know what I've bought, of all the searching I've done, I still think it is one of the best styles of antigue shotties I've seen. Yes, I found pictures of Lefauchaux guns with almost exactly the same action but the stock has me wondering ? I haven't found anything with that extra cheek pad. My family history dates back to the first settlers to arrive in New Zealand back in 1840 so it'd be amazing if this gun was possibly used back then. I have asked the seller if he knows of any history and will also post what he comes up with, watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) The gun dose not look too bad from the pics & will need a little work by the look of it ? what do you intend to do with it ? its well worth a little restoration & who knows it may well be an occasional shooter ! so long as the barrels are in fair order , I have a mate who go's out wild fowling with an 8 bore pin fire & he has bagged a few gees with it , I some times take out my double flintlock for a shot & that was built no later than 1835 . If you are a black powder fan give it a thought . Edited July 1, 2013 by Pole Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorvale55 Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Where can you get cartridges for this now? Someone gave me some about 30 years ago, (about 4), but Ive' not seen any since. Damn dangerous IMHO with the pin sticking out and waiting to get hit by something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Where can you get cartridges for this now? Someone gave me some about 30 years ago, (about 4), but Ive' not seen any since. Damn dangerous IMHO with the pin sticking out and waiting to get hit by something. My mate loads his own for his 8g by adapting 8g Remington cases he did show me how it was done but its a bit of a fiddlers job ! I think Pantiles Guns may have them but not sure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted July 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 A bit more info: "This gun came from Sweden where it had been part of a collection once belonging to a prominent collector who has now died. It would have been made around 1850 for hunting and the engraving would suggest that it was a gun of a better quality. " Anyone know who that Swedish collector may have been ?? Pole Star: once I get the gun, I am taking it straight to a gun smith for assessment with the ultimate goal of firing it. moorvale55: here's an interesting link showing reloading a pin fire shell & where to get them, http://hlebooks.com/pinfire/cal16-01.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 A bit more info: "This gun came from Sweden where it had been part of a collection once belonging to a prominent collector who has now died. It would have been made around 1850 for hunting and the engraving would suggest that it was a gun of a better quality. " Anyone know who that Swedish collector may have been ?? Pole Star: once I get the gun, I am taking it straight to a gun smith for assessment with the ultimate goal of firing it. moorvale55: here's an interesting link showing reloading a pin fire shell & where to get them, http://hlebooks.com/pinfire/cal16-01.htm Good Man let us know how you get on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 well she's here and what a thing of beauty, hard to explain the sheer pleasure when cocking those twin hammers, nice !!! She looks well up to throwing some lead around but will have a professional eye cast over her first. The stamps look like a crown, a 'Y' and a phallic symbol. There's 2 x 'JD'. Matching barrell and action numbers, '2792'. Also 'EC' with a crown. And a very cool dog that looks like he's wearing shades. Hopefully one of you knowledgable people will go, "are yes that's definately a _____________" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 well she's here and what a thing of beauty, hard to explain the sheer pleasure when cocking those twin hammers, nice !!! She looks well up to throwing some lead around but will have a professional eye cast over her first. The stamps look like a crown, a 'Y' and a phallic symbol. There's 2 x 'JD'. Matching barrell and action numbers, '2792'. Also 'EC' with a crown. And a very cool dog that looks like he's wearing shades. Hopefully one of you knowledgable people will go, "are yes that's definately a _____________" When you get it done up if it is up to the job then bring it up here & see if you can get a goose with it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 The Crown V looks like a London proofhouse view mark. Having had a nose around on the net, the phallic symbol could be a "Perron", which was a Belgian proof mark but became a breech inspection proof mark after about 1850. Not sure on the Crown EC or the JD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Nice gun. Might have been worth a bit more if someone hadn't drawn a cock and balls on it, but then you can't have everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Thunderbird: I guess I at least have bragging rights, "my gun has balls" LOL Pole Star: you're on Zapp: thanks man, so what does it all mean, was it a requirement to have a gun inspected when brought into the country ? is that how it would get proof marks from different countries ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pole Star Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Thunderbird: I guess I at least have bragging rights, "my gun has balls" LOL Pole Star: you're on Zapp: thanks man, so what does it all mean, was it a requirement to have a gun inspected when brought into the country ? is that how it would get proof marks from different countries ? Your a man of taste & your pin fire is gun of class & history so much better than any semi auto pogo stick ! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodo123 Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 Nice wanger, I mean wall hanger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy H Posted July 5, 2013 Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 (edited) JD should mean the maker Jean Duchateau 28 Fusch street Liege and the EC is a proof mark for semi smokeless powder together with the crown with the v beneath is an Belgian inspectors mark. Edited July 5, 2013 by Andy H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Andy H: thank you for identifying the JD I have been searching the local libraries and book shops without much success I'm afraid. There seems to be plenty of literature on the American Civil War weapons and even quite a bit about pin fire revolvers but not much more than a passing comment on pin fire shot guns. I'm determined now to get this thing firing because it seems so unique. So can someone wrap this up and explain what it is that I have ? Is it a Belgium Jean Duchateau or a Lefaucheux or could it be a mix of both ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahargsggib Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Just found this: This weapon carries the EL crowned mark which is that of Eugène LEFAUCHEUX. It also carries a punch of the proofhouse of Liege is spangled ELG in an oval which is the mark of acceptance, used of 1846 to 1893! http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20l/a%20lefaucheux%20eugene%20gb.htm So do I now conclude that I have Jean Duchateau built shotgun with a Lefaucheux action.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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