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 marketed under the name STANLEY ARMS Co., as marked on the left hand lock. Research indicates that this is a "Trade Name" used on imported Belgian shotguns by Wiebusch & Hilger Co. of New York City during the late 19th Century. 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.

This DOUBLE BARREL 16 gauge Hammer Shotgun presents wonderfully with a fantastic "Damascus Steel" barrel assembly. 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.

We believe that this somewhat upmarket example was most likely made around 1890, when the import market was booming. It features a lovely "pistol grip" rear stock and fore stock, both of which have some lovely checkering in the grip area. It also has some lovely floral engraving on all of the metal fittings, which is still very well retained. It is still marked on the matte rib between the barrels with:

BELGIUM FINE LAMINATED STEEL

The barrel still retains much of the original finish, with the "Damascus" forging texture still clearly visible. 

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. We believe the shotgun to be a 16 gauge example, with 17.0 / 17.0 on one barrel and 17.0 on the other, which should be the bore measurement in millimeters, which we have confirmed with a caliper. This indicates that it is chambered for 16 bore / gauge shells, and the NOT FOR BALL - NON POUR BALLE indicates that the bore is "choked", so using a 16 gauge ball would destroy the barrel, and be very dangerous. The use of a "choke" in the barrel was intended to help with the spread of shot, and came into use during the last decade of so of the 19th century.

The "table" of the shotgun breech area is marked with the "Perron" or Tower of Liège on the right side, and also has serial number 1134 stamped on the left hand side, which matches the number stamped under the muzzle of the barrel assembly. Assembly number 4 is stamped on the table, on the foregrip fitting, and on the fore grip lug on the bottom of the barrel assembly, so no major parts have been swapped out. There are additional proofs and other markings giving further specifications on the barrels, such as gauge, maker, inspector, choke, etc.

The gun is in nice shape, and bores are clear, showing some oxidation peppering and fouling from use. The standard top lever pushed to the side, opening the chambers for reloading, with a functional ejector. It is fitted with "bounce back" style hammers, which strike the back of the firing pin and then return to battery, allowing the firing pins to reset, though the springs on both firing pins are unfortunately missing or broken. The stocks show the expected wear from use and long service, but do not have any major cracks or other damage. It features a plastic or hard rubber butt plate, which does show some cracking due to age, and there was originally an oval escutcheon on the bottom of the butt stock, which is now missing.

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

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1890
Caliber: about .693" 16 gauge / bore
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches with 3 Inch chambers
Overall Length:  46 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Locks with External Hammer
Feed System: Top Break with Top Lever

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

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 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.