Looking for information on a double barrel 410

[Mark458]

I have an old double barrel 410 that used to belong to my grandfather and I was hoping that someone here might be able to help identify it's origins. The only markings on the gun is on each side it says "LITTLE PET" and on top between the barrels is says "LAMINATED STEEL BELGIUM"

I've attached some pictures. Any insight you may have as to a possible maker or anything other information is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sarg]

I have seen a lot of little 410 Doubles from Belgium like this, mostly made in Liege, check for proof makes that may help ?

 

[Mark458]

I'll check. Thanks

 

[Charlie64]

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Can you post a photo of the underside of the
barrels with the proofs ....

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[leslie hetrick]

most likely short 2.5 inch, or even 2 inch chambers.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Very nice little gun

 

[Mark458]

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Can you post a photo of the underside of the
barrels with the proofs ....

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The fore end hadn't been removed in a long time. Took a little convincing. Here's some pictures. Perhaps you may know what they mean.

 

[Mark458]

most likely short 2.5 inch, or even 2 inch chambers.

2.5 inch chambers

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Belgium proof, liege built guild gun, I don’t have my list of dates for proofs anywhere accessible but you can find the information online
Gumpy

 

[Sarg]

As I thought & stated above by Gumpy Liege gun, 1894-1924 & not for Ball !

Not a high end gun but fun with light loads I’m sure ?

 

[leslie hetrick]

2.5 inch 410 shells are available with out to much trouble, a friend has one of those revolvers that shoot .410 and 45 long colt shells.

 

[Charlie64]

Little Pet was a Belgium made .410 (single or double barreled) shotgun, typically a hammer gun with the single barreled guns often being folding guns.

Here is what I could find in my books on the proof marks ....

Liege Proof House - 1893 onwards to early 1920s

Liege Proof House - Provisional black powder proof used from 1852 onwards


NON RAYE - 1894 / 1924 smooth barrel non rifled proof

This is the Perron mark to show that the gun has passed the final black powder proof (1853 onwards)


218091 - obviously the serial number of the shotgun

L93 (date) - on the action would matches the Liege proof 1893 confirming that the gun was reproofed in 1893 but this does not tie in with the Non Raye proof that was used from 1894 onwards ?

The asterix / star over the G will be the Inspectors Mark of the proof inspector that proofed the gun. These were in fact kept secret as to the actual person behind the stamp / proof. Particular to Belgium. Ditto the A/D proof stamp. Again confirming that the gun was proofed at the time of build and again in 1893

104 - not sure on this. Is this only on the barrels where they meet the block ?

My interpretation would be that it is an 1880s onwards gun that was originally tested and black powder proofed (the first Liege proof) and then later reproofed (the second post 1893 proof) - obligatory after modifications or alterations. So maybe the chambers were lengthened or otherwise altered hence the reproof.

Hope this helps. Certainly a gun with a history!

Cheers, Charlie

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[Charlie64]

Little Pet was a Belgium made .410 (single or double barreled) shotgun, typically a hammer gun with the single barreled guns often being folding guns. There were many of these double barrel shotguns made in Belgium around the turn of the century. Lots of manufacturers made them basically being an affordable simple gun for farmers and the likes for pest control (rabbits, pigeons etc). Nothing fancy, strictly utilitarian. It can be pretty difficult to accurately identify and date them, as they were somewhat generic. Laminated steel (marking on the barrel) was used rather than Damascus barrels (price factor). Care - I would not use modern, higher pressure loads in laminated steel barrels. Something like the Eley Furlong would be a suitable cartridge.

(I was adding this to the above but my 30 minute Edit time ran out .......)

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[Mark458]

Little Pet was a Belgium made .410 (single or double barreled) shotgun, typically a hammer gun with the single barreled guns often being folding guns. There were many of these double barrel shotguns made in Belgium around the turn of the century. Lots of manufacturers made them basically being an affordable simple gun for farmers and the likes for pest control (rabbits, pigeons etc). Nothing fancy, strictly utilitarian. It can be pretty difficult to accurately identify and date them, as they were somewhat generic. Laminated steel (marking on the barrel) was used rather than Damascus barrels (price factor). Care - I would not use modern, higher pressure loads in laminated steel barrels. Something like the Eley Furlong would be a suitable cartridge.

(I was adding this to the above but my 30 minute Edit time ran out .......)

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Thanks for all your work and research on my gun. I truly appreciate it.

 

[Charlie64]

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You are very welcome. I have a lot of books on British & European proofs / stamps. Bit like trying to solve puzzels at times. I`ll look into the 104 and see if I can find anything on that.

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