My little Belgium 20 under way.

[Brian Hornacek]

Hello Parker friends,

I picked up a little Belgium 20 ga 28" with ejectors in March at a show. It had a nice straight grip along with a good feel so I decided to do Belgian style scroll and floral custom on it. It is coming along nicely so far.

Have a great 4th everyone!

[John Campbell]

Nicely done, indeed! Please post your continued progress... and the finish.

Was this a nameless Belgian, or was there a maker inscribed? Its frame features appear to be a cut above the average box lock.

[Brian Hornacek]

Pretty generic, a made for name badge. J.F. Smythe worked for Alex Henry and Trulock and Harris before taking over the firm of David Brebner.

[John Campbell]

It's an English shop. Nigel Brown puts J. F. Smythe Ltd. at 13 Blackwellgate, Darlington, between 1886-1894, then at 12 Horsemarket, Darlington c. 1897. He obviously bought some guns in from across the Channel.

[Dean Romig]

Edited silly question...





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[John Campbell]

Dean:
Not at all. It's Darlington England, West of Stockton-on-Tees:

https://www.google.com/maps/@54.5311897,-1.5883675,11z

[Dean Romig]

Thanks John - I saw my mistake almost immediately.





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[Brian Hornacek]

Progress.

[Brian Hornacek]

One side done.

I need to pick a blank, I have these two with no project attached to them.

[John Campbell]

IMHO, the left blank. As long as it's a 20-bore.

Do you plan any pattern on the fences?

[Dean Romig]

I agree with John. It just seems to go better with that style of foliage engraving.





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[Brian Hornacek]

IMHO, the left blank. As long as it's a 20-bore.

Do you plan any pattern on the fences?

They receiver, trigger guard and forearm iron will be 100% coverage. The stock will have a silver shield with my initials and the butt will have engraved heel and toe clips. The barrel will be simple I think with a border at the breach and muzzle maybe in gold.

[Brian Hornacek]

Barrel lug is done, breech and sides of iron. I am really liking the way it is coming together.

[charlie cleveland]

what a beauty shes gona be...charlie

[Brian Hornacek]

Things are moving along nicely, hope everyone is having a great day. The left blank was used, stock will be 15" long and is gonna be a beauty.

One problem is checkering, Belgium guns are so boring, has anyone seen anything interesting or a little more exciting in a Belgium gun? Chris D and I have not got our minds set on the perfect pattern.

[Daryl Corona]

All I:bowdown: can say is WOW!

[Robert Brooks]

I like the left blank also. Bobby

[wayne goerres]

I would look at some of Francotti checkering patterns.

[Ken Hill]

Brian,

This is not only looking great, but you seem to be getting the gun done fairly quickly. Are you planning to case color the receiver or a silver nitride type finish?

Ken

[Brian Hornacek]

The receiver is annealed now and will be re hardened then finished in French gray.

[Mike Franzen]

What a beautiful work of art. Did you actually start this project 7/2/17 or is that just when you started posting?

[Brian Hornacek]

I bought it in late March and the project started around June 15 or so, the engraving was complete in mid July and in Chris D's hands around Aug 1. I am hoping everything will be wrapped up in early Nov. I knew where the project was going the day after I bought the gun and requested I be put in line at that time. Beyond all that those making it happen are what I consider the best of friends and helped move this along.

[Eric Eis]

I bought it in late March and the project started around June 15 or so, the engraving was complete in mid July and in Chris D's hands around Aug 1. I am hoping everything will be wrapped up in early Nov. I knew where the project was going the day after I bought the gun and requested I be put in line at that time. Beyond all that those making it happen are what I consider the best of friends and helped move this along.

Brian, that was probably the quickest turn around time that I have ever heard of.............:shock: Fantastic for you !

[John Campbell]

Chequering pattern?
Well... since it's a Belgian gun, made for an English shop, and retailed through Canada, I'd say put a tasteful English point pattern on it. As extensive as you like. The geometric layout of a point pattern will contrast nicely with the engraving style.
After all, that beautiful wood is the real show.
Just MHO.

[Brian Hornacek]

Well this is one heck of a piece of wood! Mr Dawe is working his magic.