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!
