Original Item: Only One Available. This is definitely in fine condition for close to 140 of age! Imported from Liège in Belgium, one of Europe's leading Gun Manufacturing centers, this fine example was imported by CHATHAM ARMS Co, as marked on both locks. This company was mainly a retailer, and from 1890 onwards imported large numbers of Belgian made guns, which were then marked and sold under a large number of local names.  Shotguns were very popular at the time, and the booming gun industry in Belgium was more than happy to supply outfitters in the United States with shotguns. They also contracted out locally to companies in the United States such as Crescent arms.

The locks are both additionally marked BELGIUM at the bottom under the hammer, and the barrel is marked with BELGIUM as well as CAST STEEL. The bottom of the barrel assembly is marked with very low serial number 318 on the bottom of the rib, indicating production circa 1895.

This DOUBLE BARREL 12 gauge Hammer Shotgun presents very well, showing a lovely patina of age, having probably seen service hunting for decades. 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 fore stock, both of which have some lovely checkering in the grip area. The metalwork does not show any engraving, so this looks to have been a utilitarian example, intended for use and not for looking pretty.

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 proofs, as well as the "Perron" or Tower of Liège proof. These may give information on the inspector, as well as possibly indicate who originally made the barrel, as components could have been contracted out to multiple firms. The "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.

We believe the shotgun to be a 12 gauge example, marked with 18.2 on the underside of the right barrel, which should be the bore measurement in millimeters, which we have confirmed with a caliper. This indicates that it is chambered for 12 bore / gauge shells, and there is no "Not For Ball" marking, so this example does not have any "choke" to the barrel, a narrowing intended to help the shot spread. 

The gun is in nice shape, and bores are clear, showing some past oxidation and fouling that has been removed. The standard top lever pushed to the side, opening the chambers for reloading, with a functional ejector. The hammers are the standard type, and rest against the firing pins in the fully forward position. This means that they would need to be moved to half cock for the chamber to be broken, or else the pins would get stuck on the spent cartridges. It also looks like the springs on both firing pins are non-functional. Both locks work, though they do not hold at half cock at all. The stocks show the expected wear from use and long service, but do not have any major cracks or other catastrophic damage. It features an iron butt plate, which now shows wear and oxidation. 

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: 27 1/2 Inches with 3 Inch chambers
Overall Length: 44 Inches
Action type: Back Action Locks with External Hammer
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.