My little Belgium 20 under way.
 

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!

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.

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.

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.

Edited silly question...





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

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

Thanks John - I saw my mistake almost immediately.





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Progress.

One side done.

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

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

Do you plan any pattern on the fences?

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





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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.

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

what a beauty shes gona be...charlie

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.

All I:bowdown: can say is WOW!

I like the left blank also. Bobby

I would look at some of Francotti checkering patterns.

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

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

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

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 !

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.

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