Belgium (Interarms) 12 gauge
I recently acquired this firearm and I am looking for some information on it. It is a very old single shot 12 gauge with markings on the barrel of a crown with the letters ELG and a star inside it, a rearing lion over the letters P.V, 12-70 in a semi-circle, a star over the letter Y. On the side it says 1 kg 083 and 183 with a star over the letter L. It also says Interarms, Alexandria, Va. The gun itself will break down completly in half. Any information would be great. Thanks
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The markings: Rearing Lion over PV means that the barrel passed proof testing with semi-smokeless powder. The crown over a circle containing ELG and a little star can mean essentially the same thing; but can also indicate final proof testing with black powder. The 12-70 in the semi-circle indicates that it is a 12 ga. bore diameter and uses a shell 70mm in length. Star Y and star L are probably inspector's marks. I do not know what the 1 kg 083 and 183 refer to; but it may also have to do with the proof testing and the charge used for the proof.
The gun: It would seem to be an old one, as these proof markings have been in use since 1891, and there is nothing to indicate proof testing with modern smokeless powder. You are correct that it is Belgian in origin, but the precise manufacturer can not be determined from the information given. Belgium was well known for flooding the world gun markets with inexpensive shotguns of moderate quality, often unmarked with the manufacturer's name. I do recall a couple of occassions when Interarms imported large quantities of assorted used antique European shotguns which they sold at bargain prices. Yours probably was one of them. I would recommend against shooting it with modern ammunition, have the firing pin removed, and suggest giving it a place of prominence on your wall as a decorator.0
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