Belguim SXS percussion Shotgun

An interesting sxs percussion gun came my way a fortnight ago .Some features on this gun were unusual ,first was the stock which was a burr walnut wood which looked similar to birds eye maple and built to the standard English style with a 14.1/2 inch pull . The locks were back action which would put the gun around 1845 -50 ,all the furniture was engraved in the typical English style .The barrel were 16 bore with the Belgium Proof Marks made of iron wrapped around a mandrel like Damascus but instead of 30 inches long they were 33 inches in length. You will often find has on this gun that the Belgium manufactures instead of soldering the top and bottom ribs these were brazed .I have come across this on several top class Belgium guns when doing restoration, the gun also still had its original nipples. Enclosed are images that may be of interest to members
Feltwad

Sorry about images have trouble transfer them
Feltwad

That is a dandy :hatsoff:

B.

Wow! Very impressive. Wish stuff like that would just, "come my way."

Lovely looking piece for sure!

I like it :thumbsup:

Brokenock,
You're not old enough........stand in line like the rest of us geezers .
Very nice looking field gun.
I could not see in the pictures as to what metal the through hole plugs were made of. ( through hole plugs are what filled the holes for the drum to allow flash from the caps. ) Mine appear to be platinum
Does she shoot as good as she looks?
I have a rather nice looking W. Bond 12 ga. with 32" Damascus barrels.
If were not so dense minded, I would post pictures.
Thank you for sharing pictures with us.
Have a great day!
Fred

Old Ford said:

Brokenock,
You're not old enough........stand in line like the rest of us geezers .
Very nice looking field gun.
I could not see in the pictures as to what metal the through hole plugs were made of. ( through hole plugs are what filled the holes for the drum to allow flash from the caps. ) Mine appear to be platinum
Does she shoot as good as she looks?
I have a rather nice looking W. Bond 12 ga. with 32" Damascus barrels.
If were not so dense minded, I would post pictures.
Thank you for sharing pictures with us.
Have a great day!
Fred

Click to expand...

The platinum vents which you mention this gun does not have any there was different ways in making the flash channel . What you mention is one way of doing this which was then plugged with platinum which then became a vent with a very small hole in the centre which when the cap was ignited it draws in a small amount of air which gave a quicker ignition , some say it was a safety device which if there was a obstruction it would be blown out instead of burst or bulging the barrel {not correct}Henry Nock patented a devise similar which was made of iron and screwed into the breech plug .
Feltwad.
Platinum Vent

Nocks Patent Vent

Nocks Patent Vent

Hello Feltwad,
Thank you for the information.
I love this site!
And smooth bores are a hoot!
Fred

quite a lovely piece!

congratulations on your find, sir.