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An interesting Belgian shotgun with detachable locks. Only markings on the barrels:

FLUSSSTAHL KRUPP ESSEN (left barrel)

FUSIL DTACHABLE LOCKS (right barrel note odd mixture on French and English)


Only factory marking "Crowned PF in Oval" is located on the barrel flats (see photos #7 and #9). According to this site:

http://mallorquina.pagesperso-orange.fr/source/pageP.htm

this marking belonged to the company "Pirlot & Frsart" ,95 Rue St Gilles in Liege.

I guess, the gun was made between 1898 and 1903, as the inspector's initial "J" is present - according to my observations, the "J" was used in 1903 latest (at least, this is the case on early Browning Auto 5s; only those made in 1903 (first year) do have the "J" - the later ones (1904 and the following years) have an inspector's letter "T".

The big question: is it a copy, was it made under license or were original WR locks used?

Well, the locks look exactly like the original locks made for non-ejector guns by WR, except, that the outer finish isn't sunray-brushed, but blank. Actually, the locks of this Pirlot et Frsart gun were fire blued on the flat sides of the panels, but only some remainder of the fire blue still is present .

Also, the WR patent dates and use number are present in an oval like on the original WR locks. Additionally, the locks have an indication

"(P)ATENT No. 133714 - 11. FVRIER [February] 1898"

Number and date of WR's Belgian Patent maybe?

Any opinion welcome.

Regards

Martin