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 |
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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" |
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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
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how do you flunk out of basic training? I did't think it was possible.
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"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... |
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Colonel Paul Thomas Fancher (1926-1918) is buried in Arlington Natl Cemetery.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...thomas-fancher A subscription to Ancestry.com would likely produce more information. |
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All I can suggest is to Google US Army history/hospitals in WWII, Europe. I found this photo of the 76th Hospital Belgium field unit in about 10 minutes :
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Try the historical section in the US DOD
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I would work on the rust first. The gun is about brand new except for a coat of red.
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I believe the reference may be to the top lever and top tang beneath it. They appear to have light oxidation in the photo. If so, have this professionally removed... NOT refinished. The gun is too important to risk experimenting on.
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"How do you flunk out of basic training?" When he began telling me (his squad leader) that "the Russians are trying to get at the secrets in my head. ( And, unfortunately, his biggest secret was being able to his shoes without too much help,) Given that we were going to live fire exercises the following week, I suggested to my Drill Sgt that he not be given a rifle with live rounds, in case he decided we were Russians. E7 Sgt. Campbell took my advice, and that was the last we saw of Albert. Have often wondered what became if the poor young man
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