doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Gastinne Renette Pinfire Shotgun

After revisiting Dig's text, I now see that Westley Richards began with a toplever design in 1858, followed by improvements in 1862, 1864 & 1871, with the 1871 being the pinnacle I assume. So which design 1858, 1862 or 1864( No. 2623 of 22nd October 1864) had the 2 screws in the toplever like the GR in question? British patent #2506 of (10-9-1862)1862 possibly?

Here's a toplever thread: http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=58767&page=1

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

At the turn of the 19th century the contingent of Paris tube makers included Nicolas Le Clerc along with
Jean Francois Renette who were both appointed Cannonier du Roi and Des Champs(?) and Henri Renette.
The craftsmen were members of the Corporation des Arquebusiers. In 1823 Leopold Bernard worked a stint
at Henri Renette, or one of the Renette's shops. A similar "Crown" over a Cross/shield is found on Leopold Bernard's tubes. So that mark must be that of the members of the Corporation des Arquebusiers or note an appointment to Cannonier du Roi/l'Empereur or something of the like?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

I believe that's the 'pull-back' patent, not a toplever.

Thanks Steve, so that's #2506 of 1862? Anyone have that patent handy?

http://www.google.com/patents?id=1QsAAAA...p;q&f=false ???

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

So I wonder if Louis Bougnet was also a member of the Corporation des Arquebusiers?


Heinrich Barella sidelock flats



http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=200594&page=3

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

So it would be the 1862 Westley Richards design/patent?


One item that I forgot to note, which seems very common, if not standard, on home grown GR-Gastinne-Renette examples is that the date is on the underside of the left tube: "1864"

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

The text on the barrel reads "Cannonier de l'empereur".
This would date the gun from 1852 to September 1870.
Nobody would have ever used "Empereur" afterwards, as he finished in ignominy.

There is a very relevant discussion on the gournetusa forum here .

Best regards,
WC-

Or maybe he was just trying to copy the Leopold Bernard marks...
The sign is copied on the famous "Legion d'Honneur". Where Bernard and Rennette recipients?
Who knows...
M-