doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com As my name implies I am a newby, as such I have

some questions. I have a 12 gauge double. It has a patented date of 1881. It is a H Pieper with Damascus Barrels. What can you tell me of it's worth and collectible value? It is in fine shape, I would not hesitate to shoot it with reduced loads.

Henri Pieper was a large producer of Belgian guns. He is credited with the development of the mono-bloc in some circles. Quality ranged from moderate to very good but he was not a top tier Belgian maker on the order of Masquelier or Francotte. He died circa 1902 and the business was continued under the name Ancien Establissement Pieper , among others, and was eventually absorbed into Fabrique Nationale. My experience is that Pieper guns sell between $300 and 800, depending on original quality and condition. They can certainly be fun shooters.

This is the Pieper Diana, 1881. It is based on his patent for a monobloc.










You can read more about Pieper here:
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20p/a%20pieper%20henri%20gb.htm

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...true#Post164088

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...true#Post194360

You can read more about him in these books.
Claude Gaier - Cinq Ci�cles d'Armurerie Li�geoise, 1997
Maurice Ansiaux - L'Industrie Armurier Li�goise, 1899
Guy Gadissuer - Les Armuriers de Li�ge en Catalogues (1892-1930), 2007
Guy Gadissuer & Michel Druart - Le Qui est Qui de l'Armurerie Li�geoise 1800-1950, 2004

Pieper was the major share holder in FN.
Fabrique Nationale Oct 15, 1888
Albert Simmonis, Jules Ancion, Dresse-Laloux, M.A.L., Dumoulin Freres, Joseph Janssen, Henri Pieper, Pirlot et Fresart, Credit General Liegeois, Nicolas Vivario, Auguste Francotte, Emil et Leon Nagant

Pieper was a major force in the Belgian gun trade both during his life and afterwards. In addition to his prolific gun trade (including a very early electric gun). He also built the electric power infrastructure in Liege, was active in the early Automotive industry and many other areas.





This is a hybrid car that he invented.



The value of any gun is directly related to its condition. Post some pictures.

Pete

That is the same gun I have!

The picture of the top side of the barrels shows what appears to be rust. It is not. I don't know if it is a reflection from the couch or what.

One more pic.

Probably worth between 6 and 8 hundred bucks with little collector value.

Thanks jOe

I payed $240 for it 10 years ago.

Denny

Denny,

Joe is in the ball park for this gun. All Diana's are not equal. Some, like yours are a field grade. There are some that are highly engraved in either a German or English styles. Also there are few out there that have very special damascus tubes.

This was a major gun for Pieper. He exported it to many countries. Later, after his death, some real clunkers were produced for a time. Eventually that ended as the management of the company changed.

Pete

Would you shoot this gun? The barrels are shiny. Not pitted.