doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Belgium 20 ga. sidelock

Could the bronze be just the hint of faded case colours?,or faded lacquer?...hopefully not rust
Slap up some pics when you can.I bet its sweet.
I have a very nice 1926 12bore sle belgian with no name,hinged trigger, bushed pims, burl wood ,loads of scroll & a lovely Purdey 3rd bite cut into the breech face
I wish it had a famous name...but it's still a classy pigeon gun.
Hope you get a fair price..you'll see how good a friend he is,
good luck.
Did it seem to fit you stock wise?
Franc

Reviewing this discussion, the original poster's reference to the color is on the OUTSIDE of the gun. I didn't see anything about gold-washed internals. I think some may have made an assumption from the "bronzed" appearance, but he says that refers to the sideplates.

OL colonal that makes sense most guns you see appear to have a coin finish but of course it's just the finish worn off. that was what puzzled me about this odd color as I can't recall any wear to the finish,or at most very little.

FRAN OTTE sounds like a 12 bore I have a very good smith said it probably has gold washed internals , but he nor I have the guts to pull the sidelocks as they are fitted so well , I have the fear of damageing the wood around them.

The only person more unlikely not to find a gem (gun) at a fair price other than a gun buyer who does not know what he is looking at and buying, is a blind man buying a diamond in a jewelry store. Post picture here and someone will try to help you out. But one hard and fast rule is never pay a "name" price for a no name gun. The second rule is do not buy what you do not know about and ask question like you are doing along the way. The adventure is most of the fun anyways.

A friend purchased a gun that was very similar to what you described - best quality Belgian sidelock (hidden third bite, articulated front trigger, rounded lumps, 100% fine floral engraving, high quality piece of dark walnut, very finely polished, deep blued barrels). It was made by Faulkner, which is not a known name in the US. The gun sat around KTP for a year or so until he found and paid $5-6k for it. It was as nice as any Lebeau I have seen selling for 5x as much.

If you are buying to shoot rather than collect, guns like that are a great value, assuming everything checks out. Start with the proofmarks and any other barrel stamps.

the guy hasn't got back to me I hope he hasn't changed his mind don't want to push him as he really don't want to sell or he may be checking to see what he should ask.