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the occidental shotgun

brute
I would appreciate any info on a 12ga. side by side with double hammers and marked occidental the interchangables, belgium and fine damascus barrel
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3 comments

Date Votes
  • nord
    Really not much past what you already are aware...

    Yours is an economy firearm (a kind description) made for the trade. In numbers sold between roughly 1885 and the start of WW1 these products nearly buried our domestic makers in terms of price and quantity sold.

    Damascus-type tubes are made for black powder only. They're now a century old and may or may not be safe with even a low power load. Quality was never terribly good and the years won't have made it better.

    Even in the best of condition these guns aren't highly valued. This is especially true for collectors as these aren't even on the RADAR for most of us. The possible exceptions are a NIB example, a piece desired for decoration, or a rare small bore example.

    Value? I just encountered one of these guns at a small gunshop where I purchased a Ruger Mk II for my older son's Christmas. The tag said an astounding $385.00. To be fair the owner can ask anything he wishes but nobody with any knowledge will pay more than half that price for an old utility Belgian.
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  • Bullseye1
    Parts are scarce for these old firearms. If you are patient, flood the forums with postings regarding your subject and wait for responses. If you need parts, you may consider machining or fabricating replacement parts. Find a gunsmith that is good with old side by sides and side lock muzzleloaders. Much of the (lock) technology used in the Occidental interchangables was carried over from the muzzleloaders, while the barrel technology was new and evolving. Look closely at the barrels and determine if you can see the stampings and proofs. Damascus and twist barrels were popular in that era, but rolled steel was gaining momentum. Check the center rib for the "Best Rolled Steel" stamping. Additionally, remove the barrels from the frame and check the proof stampings on the underside of the barrels at the chamber end. The stamping will help determin where and when the barrels were proofed. Good Luck.
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  • Ned Fall
    The gun is a Belgian made "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. I have listings for six guns with some form of the name INTERCHANGEABLE. They are just Interchangeable made by Auguste Franbcotte & Co, (The Interchangeable Belgium Twist Star of Davis Brand Dumoulin made by T. Dumoulin, The Interchangeable Warrented Gov't Neumann Bros Choke Bored made by Neumann Freres (Brothers), Interchangeable Marvel made by Neumann Freres, The Interchangeable Model of 1901 made by Simonis Janssen & Dumoulin and Interchangeable Fine Damascus made by F. Dumoulin (1902 to 1904 or C.H. Bierman after 1904. All of these guns were made in the period from about 1880 to 1914 when World War One, The Great War or The War to End All Wars (choose one) cur off exports from Belgium. The were designed for the ammunition in use at the time which was black powder loaded and have damascus barrels and short chambers (2 1/2inch) They are not to be considered safe to shoot using modern ammunition.
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