doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Just returned from Belgium

We just returned. We spent 12 days in Europe. We flew into Paris where we spent a couple of days. I have been there before, but it was the 1st time for my wife. From Paris, we took the train to Liege.

In Liege, we were met by our friend ( a member here ) Marc and his great wife Tanya.



We stayed in Liege on the banks of the Meuse river, short walk to the major museums and the centre of town.



Marc lives about 100 miles west, near Brussels. So we drove to his house most days. We immediately dropped our luggage at the hotel and set off for the centre city. Of course, Marc and I had to pose in front of the Perron together.



I was taken with Liege. It is both ancient and very modern. I was also surprised by the geography. For me, it is filled many exciting sites that relate to it's gun making history. Liege is in a valley. Herstal is just a neighboring town, an easy walk. Chaudfontaine, Fraipont, Nessonvaux, etc are a short drive.

We spent a bit of time in Nessonvaux. I found the local cemetery. I was able to find the graves of several gun makers there.



Marc is a great lover of Belgian beers. I was quickly educated by Marc.



Most days, when we arrived at their home, Tanya would have a special treat. Here is one of her great home made torte's.


All told, we toured, Brussels, Bruge, Gent, Liege, Ninove, Herstal, Nessonvaux and several other towns. Marc and I made the rounds of the museums. We went to the Royal Museum of Military History in Brussels, the Museum of Wallon Life in Liege and of course, the Museum of Fire Arms in Liege.

Here is an 1850 Belgium "Kentucky Style" percussion gun. Their description, not mine.


I saw some of the top makers of Belgium, Ferlach and Germany, both in the museums and in some private collections.

There is a working wind mill not far from Marc's home. We were able to tour it. I had a great conversation with the "wind mill apprentice" thanks to Marc translating from Dutch for us.

Here he is next to the 1st of 3 diploma's he must obtain to become a master.


Marc and Tanya with his son in Gent.


Pete

Great pictures Pete and thanks for posting and sharing them. Needless to say but it looks and sounds like you and your wife had a wonderful time!!!


Isn’t funny how the term ‘Kentucky Rifle’ is so well known over the world!!

Pete, thanks. All pictures bring back fond memories. I thought I had lost my taste for beer until introduced to the many wonderful Belgian ones. Wish we had the Grand Cru here.

Very nice Pete, thanks for sharing......

Best Regards,

I have been to Europe several times. Since we have returned this time, we both have been telling everyone about the our stay in Belgium. We were there 8 days. It was not enough. We did not have time to make it to the German speaking areas.

When I am in Paris almost no one understands my French. In Belgium, they are really helpful. If I mispronounce a word, they stop and help me. Most Belgians speak at least 2 languages, with many speaking 4 or more. So, it is no problem if you only speak English. There will be some one nearby who will help. I even managed to pick up a very few Flemish words from Marc.

The display in the Museum of Wallon Life has been reduced dramatically. This is true of the Museum of Fire Arms as well. The damascus exhibit is a shadow of what they have in their collection. We both enjoyed their general gun exhibit. They had everything from miquelet's to modern guns on display.

Marc is convinced, and I agree, there are many small local museums with pieces of the gunmaking history. So, when we return, I am going to make an effort to find these museums.

I saw so many guns....Many in the museums were simply not identified. I was fortunate, that this one was. Marc and I were fascinated by the damascus and lock. It was almost an accident when we discovered it was a double. Actually, I believe it was a cape gun, but am not 100%. If it were to appear in an auction here, it would cause a great deal of excitement amongst certain collectors.

Daryl, I agree. I had to refrain from sampling too much. It messes with my blood pressure meds. However, I did my part to become educated.

Pete

Glad to see you had a great time Pete, thanks for sharing the pictures. Rich

Looks like a really fantastic trip.
That 1850 percussion (over/under?) certainly looks like a cape gun from what I can see.
BTW: When I was in Germany 2 years ago I found the citizens to be most helpful. I can "get by" in German but many times the person I was speaking to would ask if I would rather converse in English. Just about any younger person I met spoke English.
Jim

Pete,

Thanks for posting the great pictures and description of your obviously very enjoyable trip to Belgium. It was also good to see the photos of our member, Marc and his lovely wife, and of the pleasures of Belgian beer tasting. Marc is a member of both this board and the Lefever Arms Collectors Association ("LACA") to which he has contributed valuable information about Belgian trade and export marks on barrel tubes used by Uncle Dan. Salut to you both! Thanks for the post.

Rich

Pete,
Congrats on your great adventure and thanks for letting us in on it!
Get some wooden shoes?
Steve

Rich,

We searched the museum high and low for their Lefever example. I really wanted to bring back pictures of it on exhibit. No luck. I do have some special pictures of Marc with his Lefever. It is his most highly prized guns.

Steve,

Thanks. I a got a pair for you so that you can be properly attired when working on doubles!

Pete