double barreled 20 ga.
I recently inherited a 20 ga. double barreled shotgun that belonged to my great-grandfather. It has no manufacturer markings whatsoever. The only words on the whole gun are "Nitro Steel" engraved on each barrel just in front of the break. It is very ornately engraved over every inch of metal. On the top, just forward of the lever is a depiction of an Archer with bow drawn. Standing behind him is a dog on point. I believe the gun was probably made between 1900 and 1930, but that is just a guess. I know my dad had the gun completely re-blued and the stock polished by a master gunsmith sometime in the 70's. It is absolutely beautiful. I would just like to know some history behind this heirloom. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.[:)]
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Disassemble the gun into its three basic parts, stock, barrels and forearm and take a look at the bottom of the barrels for any proof marks. I'd be willing to bet that you will find Belgium proof marks consisting of the letters ELG" in an oval with a crown over that. If you do, the gun is Belgian made of course and was made by a maker named Janssen Fils & Co of Liege, Belgium. Just when the gun was made, I have no information but many many of these guns were imported between 1880 and 1914 when World War One cut off exports from Belgium.CAUTION! Many of these older Belgian made guns have damascus barrels and were designed for black powder as well as early low pressure smokeless powder shells and were chambered for either 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 inch shells. They were not designed for more modern high pressure smokeless powder or 3 inch or magnum shells or steel shot. I recommend that you do not attempt to shoot the gun but if you insist, please have it checked out by a good gunsmith first and use proper ammunition ammunition. Value? The value of the gun will depend on its condition,the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition, The fact that it has been refinished has reduced the value but may have increased it. Values for one of these old guns can range from about $175 for an excellent condition example to less than $10 for a piece of junk. 0 -
Thanks for all the information. I took the gun apart and underneath the forestock I found several markings. First I found an oval with C=16 stamped inside then another oval with LC:70 stamped inside. There also were 2 "crowns" stamped on each side of the break hinge. They had PSF stamped under 2 & what looked to be F NITO stamped under the other 2. They do not look to be damascus steel barrels but that doesn't matter as the gun is too beautiful to ever think about firing it. Whomever made it was a real craftsman! 0 -
PSF and Finito are typical Italian proof marks.
Are you SURE it is a 20 gauge marked C=16?
LC might mean 70mm chambers, 2 3/4"0 -
My dad just told me it IS a 16 ga. He used to hunt with it before we had it refinished. Italian proof [:D] marks would make sense since my great-grandfather brought it with him from Italy just after WW1. Thanks to you guys, I now have some history for this family heirloom. I really appreciate all the help & information. I wish I could post a picture of this gun for you all to see. It may not be worth much to a collector or such but it is a priceless part of my heritage. Again, Thanks & God Bless! 0 -
I looked in one more reference book and found a reference to the words NITRO STEEL. That was used by a belgian maker named Janssen Fils & Co. Take a look at the bottom of the barrels for any proof marks. If you find the letters "ELG" in an oval with a crown on top, then the gun was made in Belgium. 0 -
Were immagrants allowed to enter the U.S with firearms back in the hey-day ?? 0 -
Well, My Great Uncle brought a fully automatic "Broomhandle" Mauser & a 7.65mm Luger here with him from Italy. I saw the Mauser when I was a kid, I even handled it. How he got them in the country I don't know. The Mauser has long since disappeared, but I still have the Luger in my possession. 0
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