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#307215 01/01/13 11:42 PM
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Boxlock
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Boxlock

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I just found this forum via google search. I responded to a post that is a couple years old and decided to start a new thread. My father had this gun for as long as I can remember and have shot it many times. Didn't think much about it until he gave it to me. Now I'm very curious about the history and of course it's potential value. The photo is what is located under the forestock. Pictures of the entire gun will accompany this thread later. Thanks in advance.

[img:center][/img]

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Like I posted on the other thread with this image, interesting re-enforced proof that I don't remember seeing that often. I don't think it to be true double proof?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

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Javanino
Welcome to this site

The gun has 2 1/2 inch chambers.
I have a couple like it and find them
fun guns to shoot.

As you may know, St Etienne is the proofhouse

For proof marks, see here

http://www.shotguns.se/html/france.html

Mike

Last edited by skeettx; 01/02/13 12:32 AM.

USAF RET 1971-95 [Linked Image from jpgbox.com]
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Boxlock
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Boxlock

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Thanks, here are a few other photos.

Here are some other photos. The type on the underside reads HOYAU ETAMPES

[img:center][/img]

[img:center][/img]

[img:center][/img]

[img:center][/img]

[img:center][/img]

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Originally Posted By: ellenbr
Like I posted on the other thread with this image, interesting re-enforced proof that I don't remember seeing that often. I don't think it to be true double proof?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse


Re the proofmarks, I initially read them as two of the same on each barrel, but closer inspection shows them to be different. The only reference I can find to the left hand mark with the capital E--not sure I've ever seen it before--is to a black powder proofmark that was only used from 1869-79. That would mean the gun has had only the standard proof. But one source I have states that the right hand mark replaced the left hand mark in 1879. Interesting.

Otherwise, the gun looks to be an example of a very plain French boxlock.

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I've seen one source that gave the mark(red enclosed) as a Definitive stamp from 1879 - 1885/1886 with the pairing of the Crown over Crossed Palms St. Etienne(blue enclosed) being the Provisional proofmark. So either way the use of this mark should bound the date of production?

Where is this term "HOYAU ETAMPES"?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

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Boxlock
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Boxlock

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Thanks for the info guys, very interesting and helpful. The Hoyau A Etampes is stamped in the blurry photo near the trigger guard. It's engraved in an arc. I'll try for a better pic later.

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Originally Posted By: L. Brown
Originally Posted By: ellenbr
Like I posted on the other thread with this image, interesting re-enforced proof that I don't remember seeing that often. I don't think it to be true double proof?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse


Re the proofmarks, I initially read them as two of the same on each barrel, but closer inspection shows them to be different. The only reference I can find to the left hand mark with the capital E--not sure I've ever seen it before--is to a black powder proofmark that was only used from 1869-79. That would mean the gun has had only the standard proof. But one source I have states that the right hand mark replaced the left hand mark in 1879. Interesting.

Otherwise, the gun looks to be an example of a very plain French boxlock.
With some gaposis around the tangs and the rear of the receiver, also some Frenchman who took it apart didn't know how to size the blade of his screwdriver to properly fit the screw head slots- Yuuck!!


"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Boxlock
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Boxlock

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Yeah, I'm afraid I can't take credit for that. Someone really messed up the screwheads, I plan to replace them. From what we know so far, any idea what a gun like this could possibly be worth?

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Don't worry there are plenty of American guns with screws destroyed by American citizens.
Rule #1:
No matter what the selection system is, the proportion of idiots is always the same at the end.
:-)
Hoyau was a reseller in Etampes (Yvelines) 50 miles South of Paris. He most probably did not make the gun, but sold it.
It's an early 20th century shotgun of the farmer grade. That was the market at the time. 16Ga 2 1/2inch.
The snap underlever is in the 19th century style.
Enjoy it!
WC

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