A Richard shotgun
I have a 12 guage shotgun that I can't find in any of the books I have. It is engraved with hunting dogs. A RICHARD is on both sides of the action. It has damascus steel barrels. On the rib between the barrels it says FINE DAMASCUS BELGIUM.
Any information would be appreciated. It is part of my husband's estate.
Any information would be appreciated. It is part of my husband's estate.
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Many Belgian shotguns were imported and sold in the U.S. between the 1880's and 1914. When the Germans invaded and occupied Belgium. Most were utility grade, Damascus barreled guns that are unsafe to use with modern shotgun shells. Because of this usually they are sold as "wall hangers/decorators", for the man cave, rather then functional hunting shotguns. There cosmetic condition will dictate their value as a "Wallhanger", more then anything else.
EDIT #1, Forgot to mention that the name "Richard" on the Belgian made shotguns is a spurious marking. It is used to deceive folks into thinking that it has some connection with the famous Wesley Richards, British shotguns. It wasn't uncommon for the Belgians to add these phony markings to their shotguns.0 -
It's as Rufe said. I looked in my reference book on many various shotgun names and found this short reference:
A. RICHARD. MARKING FOUND ON BELGIAN MADE HAMMER DOUBLE, MAKER UNKNOWN.
Between about 1880 to 1914 when World War One, The Great War or The War To End All Wars (your choice) cut off exports from Europe in general and Belgium in particular thousands if not hundreds of thousands of inexpensive shotguns were imported into the United States. Not all of the names were recorded. One of the largest makers was a Belgian maker named Henri Pieper. It is quite possible that this maker made your gun. These guns were designed and made to use the ammunition of the times which was shot shells 2 1/2 inches in length (fired length) loaded with black powder and lead shot. They were not designed or made to shoot more modern shot shells 2 9/16 or 2 3/4 inch long loaded with any smokeless powder or steel shot and certainly not 3 inch magnum shells loaded with high pressure smokeless powder, steel shot or solid slugs. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOOT THE GUN !!!. We make this caution because somewhere, sometime, some damn fool is going to stuff a 3 inch magnum in one of these old guns (it can be done), cock both hammers and pull both triggers. Then after various pieces of the gun take off for parts unknown and assuming he is still standing with the proper number of fingers and eyes we don't want him coming back to us and saying "You didn't tell me that wasn't safe." If you will look at the bottom of the barrels under the forearm, you will find Belgian proof marks consisting of the letters "ELG" in an oval with a crown over that.0 -
Thanks for the info. I know damascus barrels are unsafe. I have several in the collection. DO NO SHOOT has been my mantra. 0
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