Original Item: Only One Available. This is definitely in fine condition for close to 140 of age! Produced in the Belgian city of Liège, one of Europe's leading Gun Manufacturing centers, this fine example was made by PIEPER ARMS Co, as marked on both locks. Henri Pieper was born in Soest, Westphalia, Germany during 1840, and would later train as a gunsmith in nearby Warstein. In 1859 Pieper emigrated to Liège, which offered much larger opportunities for advancement, and he was quite successful, founding Pieper Arms Co., a maker of many fine firearms. He was awarded multiple patents over his career, which unfortunately was cut a bit short when he died at the relatively young age of 57 on August 23, 1898, after which production ceased.

Like many makers of fine shotguns, Pieper offered different levels of appointments, and this example is definitely an upmarket example. It is marked on the breech ends of the barrels with:

MODIFIED DIANA

LAMINATED STEEL
BELGIUM

It also is marked with PATENT 488366 DECB 20 1892 on the top of the "matte" barrel rib. The "Diana" the result of a patented method of joining the barrels, which was later adjusted slightly, with examples appearing in the mid 1890s.

This DOUBLE BARREL 12 gauge Hammer Shotgun presents fantastically, showing a lovely patina of age, but still retaining much of the original beauty. Originally intended for hunting and home defense these saw a lot of use on the Frontier and were supplied to both Stage Coach Lines and Railroads. It features a lovely "pistol grip" rear stock and detachable fore stock, both of which have some lovely checkering in the grip area. The metalwork shows lovely line and floral engraving throughout, which is tastefully done giving a more sleek look.

Removing the forestock allows the barrels to be removed from the receiver. This reveals the markings of both the E / L G / * in a "Crowned" oval on the end of both barrels, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium after 1891. This proof had been introduced for exported arms to comply with new proof laws in Germany. There are also various single letter inspector proofs, as well as the "Perron" or Tower of Liège proof. Both barrels are marked with 12 / C in a diamond, indicating the 12 gauge chambering, and there is also CHOKE 17.5 / 18.2 on the left barrel and CHOKE 17.7 / 18.2, indicating that the barrels are "choked" with a narrow area in the bore, which helped with the spread of the shot. This was a very modern design at the time, and also meant that the gun should never be shot with ball ammunition, which would blow it apart. The "water table" of the shotgun breech area is also marked with the "Perron" or Tower of Liège on the right side, and has some additional proof marks as well.

The shotgun is marked with "ALL MATCHING" serial number 145199 on the bottom of the barrel rib, the bottom of the chamber end of he barrel assembly, the top of the table, and on the attachment hardware of the fore stock. There are also additional number stamps on various components, most likely matching numbers for assembly.

The gun is in lovely shape, and bores are are great, bright and shiny, showing just a bit of past fouling and oxidation near the chambers. The standard top lever pushes to right the side, opening the chambers for reloading, with a functional ejector. It also has a crosspin that goes completely through the tang of the barrel, making for a very secure breech lock. The locks are both functional and are the "rebounding" type, so they do not touch the firing pins. This means that the hammers do not need to be pulled back to reload the gun, which is why they do not have any half cock position.

The stock on the gun is really in lovely condition, featuring composition or black horn pads on the bottom of the pistol grip and on the back of the butt stock. The checkering is still in very good shape, and the wood shows lovely grain.

Really a well marked gun in lovely collector's condition. Fully cleaned and ready to Display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1895
Caliber: about .728" 12 gauge / bore
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 24 Inches with 3 Inch chambers
Overall Length: 40 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks with External Hammers
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.