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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11 |
I just found this forum via google search. I responded to a post that is a couple years old and decided to start a new thread. My father had this gun for as long as I can remember and have shot it many times. Didn't think much about it until he gave it to me. Now I'm very curious about the history and of course it's potential value. The photo is what is located under the forestock. Pictures of the entire gun will accompany this thread later. Thanks in advance. [img:center]  [/img]
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,076 Likes: 377
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,076 Likes: 377 |
Like I posted on the other thread with this image, interesting re-enforced proof that I don't remember seeing that often. I don't think it to be true double proof?
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,694 Likes: 225
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,694 Likes: 225 |
Javanino Welcome to this site The gun has 2 1/2 inch chambers. I have a couple like it and find them fun guns to shoot. As you may know, St Etienne is the proofhouse For proof marks, see here http://www.shotguns.se/html/france.htmlMike
Last edited by skeettx; 01/02/13 12:32 AM.
USAF RET 1971-95 ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11 |
Thanks, here are a few other photos. Here are some other photos. The type on the underside reads HOYAU ETAMPES [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img]
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165 |
Like I posted on the other thread with this image, interesting re-enforced proof that I don't remember seeing that often. I don't think it to be true double proof?
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse Re the proofmarks, I initially read them as two of the same on each barrel, but closer inspection shows them to be different. The only reference I can find to the left hand mark with the capital E--not sure I've ever seen it before--is to a black powder proofmark that was only used from 1869-79. That would mean the gun has had only the standard proof. But one source I have states that the right hand mark replaced the left hand mark in 1879. Interesting. Otherwise, the gun looks to be an example of a very plain French boxlock.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,076 Likes: 377
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,076 Likes: 377 |
 I've seen one source that gave the mark(red enclosed) as a Definitive stamp from 1879 - 1885/1886 with the pairing of the Crown over Crossed Palms St. Etienne(blue enclosed) being the Provisional proofmark. So either way the use of this mark should bound the date of production? Where is this term "HOYAU ETAMPES"? Kind Regards, Raimey rse
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11 |
Thanks for the info guys, very interesting and helpful. The Hoyau A Etampes is stamped in the blurry photo near the trigger guard. It's engraved in an arc. I'll try for a better pic later.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
Like I posted on the other thread with this image, interesting re-enforced proof that I don't remember seeing that often. I don't think it to be true double proof?
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse Re the proofmarks, I initially read them as two of the same on each barrel, but closer inspection shows them to be different. The only reference I can find to the left hand mark with the capital E--not sure I've ever seen it before--is to a black powder proofmark that was only used from 1869-79. That would mean the gun has had only the standard proof. But one source I have states that the right hand mark replaced the left hand mark in 1879. Interesting. Otherwise, the gun looks to be an example of a very plain French boxlock. With some gaposis around the tangs and the rear of the receiver, also some Frenchman who took it apart didn't know how to size the blade of his screwdriver to properly fit the screw head slots- Yuuck!!
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 11 |
Yeah, I'm afraid I can't take credit for that. Someone really messed up the screwheads, I plan to replace them. From what we know so far, any idea what a gun like this could possibly be worth?
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 534
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 534 |
Don't worry there are plenty of American guns with screws destroyed by American citizens.
Rule #1:
No matter what the selection system is, the proportion of idiots is always the same at the end.
:-)
Hoyau was a reseller in Etampes (Yvelines) 50 miles South of Paris. He most probably did not make the gun, but sold it.
It's an early 20th century shotgun of the farmer grade. That was the market at the time. 16Ga 2 1/2inch.
The snap underlever is in the 19th century style.
Enjoy it!
WC
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