Marinecraft
Member
Just purchased an antique SxS double on AUCTION ARMS. Rec'd yesterday, beautiful handmade inlays, Locks labeled Geo. Goulcher with a little man shooting at a pheasant engraved on locks. See pics at:
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9836832
QUESTIONS: weapon was advertised as a 14 bore, but when I took the barrel wedge out sure enough it was stamped 16.4 on the right bbl., which in Belgian speak means 17 bore (the smallest they ever made in muzzleloaders, according to Dixie tables.) My question has to do with the proof marks, an upright oval containing the letter 'E' over the letters 'LG', over a small 5 pointed star (lft. bbl). Then on the other bbl. (rt.) the Belgian Crown over the bore size in mm. (16.4) as stated above. The weapon is obviously made before removable breech plugs as it is one solid piece with only the nipple holes permeating the chambers. One rib on the top, braised, none on the bottom. Looks like .245" x 32 nipples (#11 cap size). The piece weighs over twelve pounds and the barrel rings like a church bell. ANYONE, ANYONE who may have knowledge of this weapon's origins please help me out. I am (carefully) assuming the nipples have been bored out and replaced with more modern nipples (my 1851 Navy wrench fits them) as possible prior owners could not obtain a 7mm nipple anymore than I can, and in comparison they are at least a mm. bigger than my Navy or my 1858 New Army. So all you experts, please help me out with some answers: date of manufacture (no #'s) Inlays in german silver, etc. etc. THANK YOU!
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9836832
QUESTIONS: weapon was advertised as a 14 bore, but when I took the barrel wedge out sure enough it was stamped 16.4 on the right bbl., which in Belgian speak means 17 bore (the smallest they ever made in muzzleloaders, according to Dixie tables.) My question has to do with the proof marks, an upright oval containing the letter 'E' over the letters 'LG', over a small 5 pointed star (lft. bbl). Then on the other bbl. (rt.) the Belgian Crown over the bore size in mm. (16.4) as stated above. The weapon is obviously made before removable breech plugs as it is one solid piece with only the nipple holes permeating the chambers. One rib on the top, braised, none on the bottom. Looks like .245" x 32 nipples (#11 cap size). The piece weighs over twelve pounds and the barrel rings like a church bell. ANYONE, ANYONE who may have knowledge of this weapon's origins please help me out. I am (carefully) assuming the nipples have been bored out and replaced with more modern nipples (my 1851 Navy wrench fits them) as possible prior owners could not obtain a 7mm nipple anymore than I can, and in comparison they are at least a mm. bigger than my Navy or my 1858 New Army. So all you experts, please help me out with some answers: date of manufacture (no #'s) Inlays in german silver, etc. etc. THANK YOU!
