doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Belgium 28 ga proof marks

Does anyone know if a Belgium sxs made 1927-53 going to be nitro or Blake powder. It has 55mm (2-1/16) chambers so is their any load data that I could use. I did not see any on the Hodgdon site. I would think modern powder but chamber length ,and beings hammer gun has me worried.TIA

Full size close up in focus images of every mark on the barrel and action flats would help.

The lettre annale would document the exact DOM



I'm sorry but I've never heard of "Blake" powder, and could not find it on an internet search.

Does it carry Smokeless Powder proof?



Is the original Certificat d’epreuve no longer with the gun?



After the proof house revisions of 1924:
“The pressure developed, measured by crusher type device, lower or equal to 600 kg per square centimeter for sizes 16, l2, 10, 8 & 4; 670 kg per square inch for sizes 20, 24 and smaller.”
600 kg/cm2 = 8534 psi maximum SERVICE pressure;
670 kg/cm2 = 9530 psi maximum SERVICE pressure
+ 10 - 14% by piezoelectric transducer measurement

Just for interest a 28g Manufacture Liégeoise d'armes à Feu clearly intended for the U.S. market, with Cockerill fluid steel barrels.
Load markings were used only 1897-1903; for 28 grs = 2 Dram "Schultze" (the stylized lion over SCH) and 3/4 oz. shot. 65mm chambers.

I have seen that list of stamps indicating Belgian Gun Dates of Manufacture, but it seems there are plenty of Belgian guns that do not utilize those date codes. Here are a couple Louis Christophe barrel flats that do not fit the mold. The first image is from my Louis Christophe/Jules Bury .450 BPE double rifle, and the second is from a Louis Christophe/Jean Duchateau 12 ga. shotgun. Louis Christophe was a Brussels sporting goods retailer that apparently did not reopen after WWII

I assume you meant to ask if your 28 ga. gun was proofed for Smokeless or BLACK powder. That information would be given in the proof stamps on the barrels, and a quick Google search will provide pictures of those Belgian proof marks.

The 12g shotgun was proved 1897-1903 using "E.C. No. 3" which was a 33 gr. = 3 Dram Eq. Bulk Smokeless powder.
2.13 grams powder = 33 grain
31.5 gram shot = 1.11 oz.
The lettre annale began in 1922.