Belgium Beauty!
 

I just acquired this beautiful 12ga, made in Belgium. It is in like new condition, looks unfired. The intriguing feature is the presentation on top of barrels. Reads on right barrel "Liege Belgium Feb 1945", left barrel, " To Col. Paul T. Fancher from Officers & Nurses 76th Gen Hosp". 27.5" barrels, choked full & mod, English straight grip, 6 1/2 lbs. No manufacturer, so we will call it a Guild gun till further investigation.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347614.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347612.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347611.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347610.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347613.jpg

We likely can tell you more about the gun with full size close up images of every mark on the barrel flats and just forward of the flats, and the action flats.
Check out Jerry's thread
http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28705

BTW another Paul T. Fancher was a Major in 1962 - son?
https://books.google.com/books?id=vE...g=RA4-PA44&lpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347637.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347636.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347634.jpg

Hope you can see the details, Jim.

I'm sorry but I can't. There is a lettre annale on the flats - maybe a 'u' which would be 1942, and possibly a maker's mark just forward of the flats. Try to get an in-focus ultra-close-up of that mark.
Acier Cockerill was good stuff; used by Manufacture Liegeoise and FN.
If that is a 70 in the omega it has 2 3/4" chambers.
The 18 something on either side of the 'CHOKE' is the bore and choke constriction in mm. 18.2 = .717"

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347710.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347711.jpg

Maybe, Jim.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL217.../414347716.jpg

Yes, definitely a u

If the mark forward of the flats is a crowned D it is likely Delcour-Dupont
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge...upont%20gb.htm

When I was a squad leader in basic training before OCS, I had a young man named Albert Fancher in my squad. Poor devil flunked out of basic training. I often wonder whatever became of him

how do you flunk out of basic training? I did't think it was possible.

"Liege Belgium Feb 1945", left barrel, " To Col. Paul T. Fancher from Officers & Nurses 76th Gen Hosp".

THIS is the key to this gun's real value. It undoubtedly has an historic and sentimental/honorary connection to Co. Fancher. Who was he? How did he serve during WWII? And what were his achievements to warrant this presentation gun? The answers constitute the real story.

Otherwise, it's just a very nice, pristine Belgian double. And there's nothing wrong with that either...

Have not been able to locate much info on Col Fancher. Any ideas or web sites to try?