doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com French shotgun information

Hey everyone, I picked up a nice little French 16ga this afternoon. I believe the maker is Aime Maisonnial. The barrels were made by Breuil. It’s really a plain gun, but it handles very well and weighs 5# 11oz. Just wondering if anyone have heard of this maker?

See here:

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=604649#Post604649

About the same, all the way around.

Best,
Ted

Not a lot of analysis this evening. Pretty much standard Saint Etienne trade gun. (i.e. pre 1930's)
-- Post WWI.
-- 65 (2 1/2") chambers - i.e. "normal" in later French lexicon.

On "Naturabuy" - "Maisonnial" fusil for sale:
https://www.naturabuy.fr/Fusils-Juxtaposes-Maisonnial-critere-32593.html

One of the ads with Jean Breuil barrels:


Fusil MAISONNIAL à Saint-Étienne was a well respected artisanal gun maker in Saint Etienne (who later merged with "Granger" per the below comment..haven't researched this).
"Maisonnial était un artisan stéphanois qui fabriquait de trés fins fusils et qui a d'ailleurs revendu son atelier et son savoir faire à Granger si je ne m'abuse. Il fabriquait notamment de trés beaux fusils à platines et certains simplement à faux corps".

Video of an explanation of "Fusil Maisonnial" "from the 1950's" (les annees cinquante):
https://sw-ke.facebook.com/armurerieetiennecornu/videos/fusil-maisonnial/460244511822693/
https://www.facebook.com/armurerieetiennecornu/videos/maisonnial-suite/248346120014320/


But the interest for me besides Maisonnail is "A. Couillard" in the "advertisement - Choke rectifie" area of the barrel flats. Can't explain it unless this is the barrel borer.


We've seen this before...but why?
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=561373&page=1


Also here before my time on this board:
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=423083&page=all


When you watch the above videos of the explanation of a "Maisonnial" gun..and the expertise exhibited by M. Etienne Cornu and his explantions of all the makers' marks, you realize we here in America really need a good French correspondent. FAB has so far been the intermediary on Manufrance and has helped expand our knowledge exponentially.

I wonder if >>A. Breuil<< was a relative of Jean Breuil?

Yes, >>A. Couillard<< would have to be a tube mechanic.

Argo44, I thought you to be that >>intermediary<< along with Wildcattle?

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Argo, thank you for the wealth of information! Looks like Maisonnail made very nice guns and seems to be respected in France. While my gun is plain, what attracted me to it is the quality of the gun and the handling characteristics. I think this gun is perhaps one of the earlier guns they made. The later guns look absolutely beautiful.

Ellenbr, I think Bruiel A. is a abbreviation for Bruiel Aulagner. I seen a post on shotgun world that was saying Bruiel Aulagner was how the barrels were marked originally, then switched to Jean Bruiel.

Um, >>Breuil-Aulagner<< interesting tid-bit of info.


Serbus,

Raimey
rse

>>Breuil-Aulagner were barrel makers,later,the firm took the name "Jean Breuil".(Very good barrels)
By this time,plenty of skilled gunsmith(e)s were working in St Etienne and Paris,one making the barrels,another the reciever,another the stock...each one adding a little more to finish the shotgun which was sold in a gunshop ,the name of which was generally stamped on the rib.<<

Great info by Mr. R. Palmier.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Jean Breuil later used this mark on his barrels:


And where is Wildcattle; last we heard he was submerged with work (les bêtes enlisse)? I hope he didn't get burned out by the California wildfires.

Argo44:

What is the term to the right of >>Canon<< and above >>8707<<?

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

I haven't a clue Raimey. New one for me.