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Joined: May 2009
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 138 |
[img]http://https://imgur.com/a/hvECoAH[/img]
I recently purchased this German hammer shotgun at auction. It was inexpensive so I took a bit of a flyer on it but I really don’t know much about it. I have a couple Parkers and an LC Smith, but German guns other than Krieghoff are a mystery to me. A note with the gun mentioned they were an importer for Western Field, 1935-1945. If anyone can decipher the proof marks and stamps on the barrels and water table, it’s much appreciated. It’s a 16 gauge with 30 in barrels. sliver forend, and horn butt plate. The top rib is marked Ant. Bensmann Ludinghaussen I. Westf.
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Joined: May 2009
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 138 |
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,486 Likes: 393
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,486 Likes: 393 |
Those are Belgian proof marks, not German.
The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,785 Likes: 185
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,785 Likes: 185 |
Yeah, a Liege offering from 1926. Maybe the odd J is Jansen?? Right off, I'm not aware of a Büchsenmacher Ant. Bensmann in Lüdinghausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. There was a Beerman in Münster, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany that was relatively close. Could you pleasure us w/ an image of the name on the top rib? High condition if not refurbished.
Cheers,
Raimey rse
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 544
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
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I believe the Belgian gun has been refinished. Would not the barrel flats still be in the white if it were original?
NRA Benefactor 2008 NRA Patron 2007 NRA Endowment 1996 NRA Life 1988
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Joined: May 2009
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 138 |
Gents, much thanks. It has been refinished and that was disclosed by the seller. I don’t yet have it in hand but will post a pic of the top rib inscription when I do. I intend for this to be a shooter. There are a lot of marks, stamps, proofs on the gun. It does appear to have been made in 1926. It is probably a Belgian made gun made for a German seller. Definitely 1926 and for nitro.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 544
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 544 |
And definitely an attractive double gun!
NRA Benefactor 2008 NRA Patron 2007 NRA Endowment 1996 NRA Life 1988
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
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USAF RET 1971-95
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 138
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 138 |
Gents,
Thank you for your excellent information. This is fascinating and a lot of fun. I think we have this mystery 90% solved. This gun matches the J Pire ad exactly. From what you have sent me and what I could find, I have a:
-"Fusil Buffalo" 16 gauge hammer shotgun with 30 in barrels
-Manufactured by Jules Pire and Company, 10 rue Van Ertborn, Antwerp, Belgium
-Year of manufacture is 1926 (script "e")
-It was made for the seller, Ant. Bensmann, Ludinghaussen, Westfalia, Germany (inscribed on top rib)
-Chambers are 2 1/2 in. (in sideways omega looking sign, along with gauge)
-Chokes are not exactly easy to decipher but this is my best guess. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. The right barrel is only marked with the bore diameter, 16.9. This appears reasonable for a 16 gauge. The left is marked 16.9 CHOKE 16.8. I'm not sure how to do the conversions but I would guess this makes it cylinder in the right barrel and I/C in the left.
-Nitro proofed (stick figure animal over P.V)
-Provisional proof ("euro" looking sign intertwined with "British pound" looking sign
-Conformity with German proof law (crown with bubble below)
-Barrels with 1 kg 359
-Proof of breach system (perron)
-Controller of proof codes, Hubert Charlier 1923-53 (U with a * over)
-Remaining mysteries: stylized large "P" on barrels, 98 and 99 on water table, 98 on lug, 99 on barrel flats, on the barrel flats between the "e" and "PV" stamps, a small "P" with a * above.
Much thanks for your help!
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,785 Likes: 185
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,785 Likes: 185 |
It may have been finished by Jules Pire, but he did not make it. It was made in Liege by the mechanics there. The odd P or JP on the underside of the left tube might denote Jules Pire? The numbers 98 & 99 may have been assemble numbers. The spangled P is the inspectors touchmark.
Cheers,
Raimey rse
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