Belgian Shotgun??

[vintagedan]

I have been told this is a Belgian shotgun, 1800s. I know nothing about these guns. I assume it is a muzzle load and flintlock. I would appreciate any help to pin down identification,

 

[Phil Coffins]

It is a muzzleloader shot gun but it isn’t nor ever was a flintlock. The back action lock began to be used around 1850 and is still used today. Half cock the lock then remove the ramrod and the wedge that goes threw the forearm and the barrel will lift off, then look for proof marks near the breech. They will add information to the gun.

 

[vintagedan]

Thank you Phil

 

[vintagedan]

I found marks on barrell.

 

[vintagedan]

Marks look like Old Birmingham.

 

[Grimord]

I have one just like it but mine is in better condition and I use it for squirrel hunting in the early season. Mine is a 15 gauge.

 

[vintagedan]

But is it really Belgian if it has a Old Bermingham proof marks?

 

[Eric Bye]

If this shotgun is Belgian, I would expect to see a proof mark stamped into the barrel with an E over LG (representing Liege).

 

[muzzlecap]

The gun is not Belgian. It bears Birmingham proof marks from the time period 1813 to 1855 unless there are other proof marks not shown.
By the way--are you by chance in Canada? A gun very similar to this was for sale a couple of weeks ago. I thought about it but passed.

 

[andy52]

This is a Belgian proof mark on an old SxS.

 

[vintagedan]

Thank you everyone. Muzzlecap, I am not from Canada.

 

[Feltwad]

Typical Birmingham Made gun ,the name on the back action lock would have been a help although it bares the Birmingham proof marks it could have been a provincial gun maker
Feltwad

 

[vintagedan]

What is the "back action," is that where the proof marks are located?

 

[TFoley]

The back action refers to the design of the lock - the metal component you see with the hammer sticking out of it at the front. All the working parts are behind the hammer - hence, the descriptive term 'back action'. It is a percussion lock, BTW, and uses a percussion cap on the nipple that is detonated by the hammer striking it, thus setting off the load of powder in the breech.

The proof marks are on the barrel - you posted the pics yourself.

However - FIRST THING YOU MUST DO is the make sure that the gun is NOT loaded. Get the ram rod and put it down the barrel, and hold it where it stops. Remove it and place it beside the barrel. If it is within half an inch or so of the end of the barrel, you are good to go. If it is a couple of inches or even more short, the you MIGHT just have a load in there - NOT uncommon.

Report back to us here, please, before proceeding.

BTW, 'Old Bermingham' is not a place. The poster was referring to the older style of stamps used by the Birmingham Proof House, replaced a number of times since those shown on your barrels by similar but not identical designs.

 

[toot]

I would like to have it and get it back in shooting condition. and make a lot of Smoak with it!.

 

[toot]

I was making a statement. that if I had it I would get it up & running, if I had it.

 

[Feltwad]

Looks to me like a straight forward restoration job to make a shooter ,everything seems to be there . The name on the lock will give a better idea of the place and date of the piece.
Feltwad

 

[Doc]

T is correct the first thing you should do is check to see if it’s loaded. The second item to do is find out if it’s in shootable condition. To find that out , Take the barrels off and hold the hook on your finger, lightly tap the sides of the barrels up and down with a piece of steel. You are hopping to hear a ringing sound. If you hear a thud anywhere that means separation, can be fixed but only by an accomplished gunsmith. A ringing sound only and you have a very good shooter.
Good Luck and Have FUN. Doc,

 

[TFoley]

T is correct the first thing you should do is check to see if it’s loaded. The second item to do is find out if it’s in shootable condition. To find that out , Take the barrels off and hold the hook on your finger, lightly tap the sides of the barrels up and down with a piece of steel. You are hopping to hear a ringing sound. If you hear a thud anywhere that means separation, can be fixed but only by an accomplished gunsmith. A ringing sound only and you have a very good shooter.Good Luck and Have FUN. Doc,

The gun the OP showed us only has one barrel, but the 'riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing' instead of a dull 'thud' is still true.

 

[Doc]

T My bad, no reason to have the s on there. Thank You for spotting it. Doc,