doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com French Double Barrel

The gun appears to have a pretty robust Greener crossbolt and a top lever. I don't believe it is a snap underlever. There is a French term for that decorative piece on the front of the trigger guard, but, I've forgotten it.

Best,
Ted

Raimey, Lee Kennett refers to both marks as black powder proof of semi-finished barrels, the mark in blue replacing the one in red in 1879. Baron Engelhardt also dates the mark in red from 1869 and the one in blue from 1879, and does not specifically state that the latter replaced the former, although that appears to be the case. But at any rate, if the gun was made prior to 1897, we should be able to determine that from a photo of the barrel flats, which we don't have. In the 1890's, several additional proofmarks appeared (including all of those for smokeless powders, such as PJ, PM, PT etc all with a crown). If any of those are present, it would mean a gun more recent than the 1880's, and would cause one to wonder why the mark in red is there.

Ted, the French term for the piece in front of the trigger guard is une doodad (or maybe un doodad--can't recall whether masculine or feminine).

A lot of pre 1890 guns had that thing, Larry. I've seen 'em on French damascus guns, and an old C model Darne and asked Paul Bruchet what it was called when I was last there. He gave me the name.
I forgot the name, most likely because I couldn't think of something more useless on a gun. My gun, anyway.

Best,
Ted

Seriously Ted, the all-purpose French term for pretty much anything for which you don't know the name is "un truc". Sort of like doodad, thingamabob, whatsit, etc. With that essentially useless piece, I'm not sure I'd bother asking the name.

Thanks for all the info. Learning alot about this gun and old shotguns in general. I'll be taking photos of the barrel flats today and will post them as well.

Here is what lies on the barrel flats. Does any of this give a clearer picture on the date of manufacture?

No, but it indicates your gun started out its life with a good set of barrels. Ronchard-Cizeron was one of the "better" makers and barrellers.

That running bunny is familiar. Was not the semi-smokeless powder J noted by in St. Etienne by the Crown over PJ(Poudre J) from March 30th 1896?

http://www.littlegun.info/arme%20francaise/artisans%20p%20q%20r/a%20ronchard%20cizeron%20gb.htm
Ronchard-Cizeron noting Gold Medal(M�daille d�or)for efforts

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Proof with Powder J is one you don't see much of, as it is old. Correctly noted above, it is semi-smokeless, and doesn't develop the pressure level of true smokeless powder.
If it were me, I'd use low pressure loads in it. Certainly looks to be an entertaining shooter.

Best,
Ted

java'
How is the action/stock fit? I think I can see some fair gaps in the first set o pic's..#s 1 2 & 5, there looks to be a few pushing an 1/8", especially the #5 side shot of wood/metal?
Looks like the wood needs to be snugged up some to the action...are all the screw tight,stock draw bolt?
some might be shadow, but daylight is daylight
I'd want to check that before I shot it much, that's all I mean
cheers
Franc