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Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Jan 2025
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This is my first post and I am new to older guns. I inherited my grandfather's shotgun and I was told it was used in WW1. Using your site, which has been great, I was able to figure out some about what I have. The one issue has been one marking that I saw someone else ask about. The symbol is AB inside of a diamond. AB is also engraved on the barrel release. Can someone point me in the right direction of what I have. I want to be able to hand this down to my son one day and hopefully it will be handed down to my new grandson which will be here in July.
Chris Goodwin
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Parabola |
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Boxlock
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Boxlock
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Last edited by Bytewrangler; 01/13/25 10:12 PM.
Chris Goodwin
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,604 Likes: 208 |
Welcome to the site and your first postings French Shotgun https://www.shotguns.se/html/france.html"AB" most likely refers to the manufacturer "A. Beaufort"; a historic French gunmaker known for producing high-quality shotguns, particularly double-barreled models, and their markings often included the initials "AB.".
Last edited by skeettx; 01/13/25 10:22 PM.
USAF RET 1971-95
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
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Your gun is a French 12 gauge that was double proofed with French proof powder T. It was definitely built post 1900, as that is the year that powder started being used at the proof house. It originally had 2 1/2” chambers, they may have been lengthened by now. I doubt it was used in WWI except perhaps to acquire game for the table. That action was used on many French and Belgian guns, and was produced in France for the gun trade. Gene or Fab probably know who built the gun. It should be inspected by a good double gun smith, who will measure the chambers, examine the barrels for corrosion and pitting, and advise on proper ammunition.
Good luck.
Best, Ted
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Boxlock
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Boxlock
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Thanks for replying back. I will probably never fire it again. Thanks for the information. I have read quite few posts on this site and it has been fascinating the knowledge shared. If there is anything else you can tell me about this gun I greatly appreciate it.
Chris Goodwin
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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Posts: 11,568 Likes: 553 |
Thanks for replying back. I will probably never fire it again. Thanks for the information. I have read quite few posts on this site and it has been fascinating the knowledge shared. If there is anything else you can tell me about this gun I greatly appreciate it. You should follow Ted's advice, and then use it the way it was intended if it is judged to be sound. Your Grandfather would be pleased, and you would likely become even more interested in older guns. Many of us find the older double guns much more interesting than the new stuff. You have to shoot them to really appreciate them.
The"Big Tent" of Gun owners is a Big Fraud... to give cover to fools who vote for Anti-gunners.
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,426 Likes: 406 |
The AB mark has been seen before on this line but FAB's pictures seem to have disappeared: https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=541247&page=allHere are the mark-ups. It is chambered for 65 mm not 6.5 cm so it is a post 1924 Saint-Étienne gun. It has the Verney Caron "quadruple lock" top lever system that everybody insists on calling "Helice." Somebody refresh our memory about the three crossed feathers on the barrel flats. ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/lJ1dhCZ.png) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/RbMMaQK.png)
Last edited by Argo44; 01/14/25 01:25 AM.
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
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4 members like this:
Bytewrangler, builder, Jimmy W, Parabola |
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,361 Likes: 276 |
![[Linked Image from thumbs2.imgbox.com]](https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/64/56/v4BR17Tv_t.jpeg) ![[Linked Image from thumbs2.imgbox.com]](https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/26/d0/Zkrp1O6g_t.jpeg) Interesting the AP is in the >>Helice<< Medallion & that what looks to be Gold Bands are on the frame and not the typical barrel bands? Serbus, Raimey rse
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,361 Likes: 276
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,361 Likes: 276 |
I just noticed the OP is from Hayden, Alabama & I just passed thru there on Sunday. Also, one of my kids plays basketball with kids there. Actually headed down to near that neck of the woods tonight.
Serbus,
Raimey rse
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,426 Likes: 406 |
I'm wondering if this might be a WWII trophy gun. It looks like it might have been buried at one time which is what a lot of French farmers did during he occupation.
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
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