doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 16 guage info needed

My father handed me down an old 16 guage doublegun and need a little info on. I know there has been some discussion on this, but the gun reads under the barrels:
St. Etienne / ECTIFIL C.A./ 17.1 / 3623

There was some other distinct markings in the same area, but I would have to look at them again to explain them. I would like to find out about how old it is, what is a safe load to use and where I might find parts if I was to ever need them. the gun is in good working order and I would call it good to fair condition.

rsb201:

A pic would be most beneficial. It would be a French gun as proved at St. Entienne w/ a measurement of 17.1mm. There's a thread, "St. Entinne 12 Ga.", somewhere here with info on French guns and there's a site for on threads on info on French guns at: http://www.gournetusa.com/forum/ . Darnation should be along soon w/ many answers.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Parts would almost certainly have to be made. Age is hard to determine on French guns, except on a very approximate basis. Safe load would depend on the proof level, but it would not be a good idea to shoot standard, 2 3/4" American 16ga shells in it. If you can take a photo of the barrel flats (area underneath the chambers with the barrels removed) or, failing that, list all the words and marks you find there, we can probably help a bit more.

Some good information on French makes here as well:

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...=true#Post37729

I looked under the barrels and there was the letters PT with a crown over it. There was also the number 65 and what looked to be a vine or ivy ingraving near the word st. etienne. That was the only markings on the gun other than what I had listed on the above post. thanks

rsb201:

The number "65" is probably the chamber length. The number "3.623" could be the weight of the barrels in Kg. The stamp "crown" over "PT" is St. Etienne's smokeless proof with powder "T". The ivy & vine you mention may be the stamp of the 2 crossed branches.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, I beg to differ on the 3623. It is surely the serial number as 3,623 kg
for barrels on a 16 bore sounds a bit over the top. 65 is definitely the chamber
length.

Pictures will enable to get more/better info.

Best,

JC

JayCee:

I didn't give it much thought, but 8 lbs would be a bit much.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

What you describe as vine or ivy engraving near the words "St. Etienne" is a proofmark. It should appear on each barrel, right in front of the flats. If it only appears once on each barrel, that would be standard French proof, meaning that the gun is OK for light, low pressure loads but you want to avoid heavy stuff. And definitely avoid standard American factory ammo.

L. Brown, what type of load would you recommend???? I am new to all this when it comes to the old stuff.I plan to use this gun and would like to avoid any issues. thanks