Thanks for the replies. I saw the Bayard today. It is marked Bayard only on the barrels. I assume it is a guild action with Bayard steel barrels. Seems okay: 26-3/4" barrels, DT, splinter, sling swivels, little or no engraving reverse chokes Left is open, right is choke. Totally tight action. The fellow paid $600.
A "guild" gun implies an unmarked gun produced as part of a cottage industry. This gun is marked and was produced in a factory!
Bayard was a regisisterd trade name of Pieper. Pieper was one of the largest firearms factories in Belgium. Henri Pieper was a major investor in FN. Between Henri and his son, they had dozens of patents, not all gun related. Henri filed several car related and electrical patents.
I own several Pieper guns including a 28ga Bayard.
Pieper had major contracts with governments to supply arms. They were also a supplier of ammunition and sporting arms. They supplied guns for the Sears catalog for many years.
16ga is not a "small gauge" through out most of Europe. It is impossible to judge the value of gun with seeing it, or at least photos.
Pete
