doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com .405 double rifle questions

Hi,
Namur is a town very near Liege in Belgium so I would guess that Thonon traded out of that town and possibly learnt his trade down the road in Liege.
Just adding to the picture.
Martin

.405 WCF was a fairly popular calibre for Belgian double rifles, they tend to be much lighter than Brits of equivalent power and kick like the dickens.

I've shot it plenty and it doesn't seem to be too bad on the recoil to me. But I'm not very sensitive to recoil. Worst gun for recoil I've ever owned was a feather weight 270. Gun was less than 5 Lbs and slapped you silly.

It was proofed in 1927.

I see marks from 2 makers.

Jean Falla, 35 rue Bonne Nouvelle, Liege. He was around until 1935 at which time his son took over the business.
http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20e%20f/a%20falla%20gb.htm

André-Joseph-Alexandre Thonon, 65 Rue St Laurent Liège
Trade mark consisting of a four-leaf clover over the initials EL.

Andre was part of the very large and famous Thonon family. At least of member of the family owned a patent on a damascus pattern that was known as Thonon Damascus. The family was around from over 100 years.

Namur is about 50 miles SW of Liege. No idea if Thonon had a shop there.

As for value... Teddy Roosevelt hunted Africa with the .405. A double in this condition, I would guess is worth at least $15,000. But you need to check around to be sure.

Pete