I looked at a shotgun today with two sets of damascus barrels. The ribs on the barrels were marked Alb. Fornes Arqu A. One of the barrels also had H. Giltay stamped on the bottom. Any information would be appreciated.

thank you
Patrick

Seems to be made in Belgium....

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20g/a%20giltay%20h%20gb.htm

I agree the barrel is sourced in Belgium. The inscription on the rib though is French I think.

Patrick

Belgian, French, same thing? or is Belgian Flemish?

There are 3 official languages in Belgium today, German, Dutch and French. Many people also speak some English.

I show Fornes as being located in Strasbourg.

If you really want help with information about a gun, photos are best.

Pete

Here is a link to some pictures(I hope). There are two sets of Bernard barrels. One is rifle and 12 gauge and is "as new". The other set is 12 gauge and very used. Any thoughts on age, quality, value.

thank you
photobucket

Patrick,

Are there any proof marks on this gun?

Pete

Pete,
I put some pictures of the flats of both sets of barrels on the end of the slideshow. There are no marks on the action.

photobucket

Here you go Patrick
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20b/a%20bernard%20henri%20eugene%20gb.htm

Eugene probably made the gun for a distributor prior to 1898.
'AC' was likely the barrel maker but is not on PeteM's list nor the 1907 list of barrel makers in the Syndicat des Fabricants de Canons de Fusil de la Vesdre.

Patrick,
Re,my PM. Others are more aware of Belgian proofs than I, but if no one pipes up I will do some research. The crown on the triggerguard may have some meaning, depending on the number of points/balls on it, maybe one of the heraldry experts will speak up.
Mike

Beautiful gun.
Albert Fornes, arquebusier a Strasbourg.
This tells us that the gun was made prior to the 1870 war, after which Strasbourg became German until 1918.
Fornes exercised under the German rule at the (germanized) address of 26, kinderspielgasse.
What's funny is that the gun could have been a rifle at some point. The sights imply it.
Certainly made in Belgium (at least the barrels).
I expected to see a pinfire conversion, but it does not look plausible.
Oh and the crown I believe denotes a "Baron". Could be wrong.
Best regards,
WC-

It could be still; sometimes rifling in the barrel is so small, almost invisible that you could hardly see them. Or it could be a slug gun too....

Yes, the crown with seven spikes is a Baron or Freiherr in german.

Best Regards,
Gunwolf