A time when the forend iron never had wood

[Jack Cronkhite]

So for fun, what have we here?? I'll hoist a shot of scotch this afternoon in honor of anyone who knows this gun. (Hmmm contest and prize seems to be all mine but I will, upon meeting in person, stand the winner to a shot of good whiskey - maybe even two)

It is 16 ga, in need of clean up but otherwise appeared good enough to follow me home. Tight, on face, decent bores.
Cheers,
Jack

[mike covington]

Husqvarna?

Mike

[Dave Noreen]

Looks like an early Husqvarna to me.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Early, yes. Husky - no

Time to exercise Charlie and Kyra. Hope to toast the winner upon return.
Cheers,
Jack

[Dave Noreen]

It is a Lefaucheux action gun. Could be from just about from any European country, especially France of Belgium. Husqvarna continued to make Lefaucheux action guns, specifically their Model 20 into the 1950s.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Yes. One of those countries is involved.

[Dean Romig]

It's complex enough to be an early Cosmi ;)

[ed good]

loks lik sum kinda insect...

[charlie cleveland]

i had an old richards that was made like this gun once upon a time... charlie

[Jack Cronkhite]

Well, no winners yet. The mystery will be revealed in the morning. Dogs did get there hike but old Jack was under-dressed for the wind that came up. Old legs were a nice red. It took a couple hours to get them back to my sun deprived white. Had a good coat but should never head out without the long johns. The blizzard that started during the hike has yet to cease. 4WD and low gear for streets around here right now. Hate to think how buried we will be in the morning. BTW, the mystery gun is Belgian but not JABC.

[Bob Brown]

I'll guess Henri Pieper as the maker. Right country and around the right time. They made a lot of cheap shotguns for export, but were capable of some interesting firearms.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Here is the case it came in. No accessories were with it. 37 bar tail feather from this season's biggest rooster. Whatever chemical was stored in it ate away some of the cloth material. The lid is cracked but I suppose someone somewhere is skilled in restoring such a case. It won't be me. I'll enjoy the "patina" until the next custodian comes along.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=185&pictureid=4315

[Bob Brown]

Very nice, Jack.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Thanks Bob. Nice to see you pop up here. If a strong northwest wind blows you into SK, I'll share my scotch or whatever your pleasure might be. That's not to say you won, just that I will share my scotch with anyone who survives making it here. :)

SN is 4612. Does not appear in the Griffin and Howe data for imports by A&F or VL&D. As I understand it, both companies had their initials stamped into the barrels to indicate it was imported by them. So, this one, failing incorrect info, was built and sold into the European market. The Auguste Francotte stamp is in each barrel along with proof marks, inspector stamps and a few numbers that so far have no meaning for me. I'll measure up the BWT one day before next season and may take at least one rooster before retiring it for another hundred years. Very ingenious double hinge arrangement to open and then remove the barrels. Upon close inspection, a piece of the comb has been replaced but nicely done.

Ed, is this the insect you had in mind?

http://www.charliehamiltonjames.co.uk/uploads/images/gallery/prayingmantis1.jpghttp://parkerguns.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21148&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1357847872

[Dennis V. Nix]

I am not sure what the actual question is, "Who knows this gun." I do believe it is made in Belgium and possibly by Pieper. That is the best I can do.

[Jack Cronkhite]

Okay, the answer is Francotte, built by Auguste Francotte Company of Liege Belgium. I have yet to confidently determine date of manufacture. If I read postings correctly on DGJ the SN indicates Bottom Grade (others are Medium and High) with a date of manufacture 1927/28. The company itself dates to 1805. If others can further enlighten, I'm all ears. Cheers, Jack

[Jack Cronkhite]

Okay, the answer is Francotte, built by Auguste Francotte Company of Liege Belgium. I have yet to confidently determine date of manufacture. If I read postings correctly on DGShop the SN indicates Bottom Grade (others are Medium and High) with a date of manufacture 1931. The company itself dates to 1805. If others can further enlighten, I'm all ears. Cheers, Jack

http://doublegunshop.com/fran1.htm
http://www.doublegunshop.com/dgsnos2.htm

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

A Mortimer?

[Bill Murphy]

I think your gun is much earlier than you say, on one of the other two charts before the beginning dates on the charts.

[Dean Romig]

It would surprise me if the gun was made post-1890 or so.

[Jack Cronkhite]

I agree. don't know enough about the sn data but will look further. All in all, I think it is a pretty neat old gun. I will do as much clean up as prudent and if the barrels are nice and thick, I may find some light 16ga shells. I might use a long string for the first two. :)

[Larry Frey]

Jack,
I'm not sure what the odds are of one of these 16 gages showing up at my office but that’s what happened on Wednesday. This gun belongs to a guy I know who's grandfather used it many years ago. I took pics of all the markings and plan to post them on Double Gun when I get time to see if I can come up with and age and maker for him.

[Jack Cronkhite]

That is a nicer example than mine. More ornate engraving and more interesting hammers. As for the odds - at least slim chance I would say but regardless it happened. I would have bet against that happening, which is why I haven't been able to secure my old age through playing the odds.