Need info on French shotgun - Brevete?

[Todd Browning]

My father inlaw inherited an old French or European .16ga side by side double barrel shotgun. The barrels are about 27 3/4 inches. On the bottom of the receiver are the words "Modele Brevete SCDC". On the bottom of the barrel are the following words: Portee Garantil, Acier Meteor, Choke Rectifie, and STETIENNE (which I think is St Etienne). I found no dates or at least what I thought were dates. I also did not see a guage but .16 seems to fit.
Any ideas on what I have or where I can go to find out more?

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Brevete is patented of course.

Brevete is patented of course. The only SCDC I know about is a metal fabricator for the wine industry so have to keep looking there.
Acier is steel.

I'd expect more markings on the shotgun of a proof nature including gage and chamber length in mm but maybe not.

No doubt someone will answer who really knows but lacking that I'd write, without too much hope, the St. Etienne city hall at:
Hôtel de ville - BP 503
42000 SAINT ETIENNE
The community did guns for a long time and then bicycles but I think both are fading.

 

[Jim K]

I think "SCDC" might be SGDG, "Sans Garantie du Gouvernment", a peculiar French indication that something is patented but that the patent does not constitute a guarantee by the government. "Acier Meteor" is Meteor Steel, apparently a trade name. "Choke Rectifie" is Modified Choke.

As to "Portee Garantie", the latter word means the same as above, but I don't know what "Portee" means in this context.

The guage is likely 16, as that was the most common gauge in Europe. St. Etienne could be the name of the town, or of the Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de St. Etienne, a large gun factory in that town that made both military and civilian arms.

I suggest removing the barrels and looking on the bottom for the proof marks. One crown and the letters "PT" indicate the standard smokeless powder proof; two crowns indicates a high pressure proof. If the latter mark is present, the gun should be safe for standard loads, but measure the chamber before loading with modern ammunition.

If the mark is different, describe it and I will try to help.

Jim

 

[Todd Browning]

French Shotgun

Thanks Jim. I'll take another look at the barrels and re post.