Dumoulin

[Earle]

Came across a rifle i'm interested in. It is a F. Dumoulin in 458wm. I 've looking for info on it and all i can find is H. Dumoulin info. Are these two related and can anyone point toward the F. Dumoulin info. Thamks

 

[Nyati]

François Dumoulin, Liege, Belguim, founded in 1894, closed in 1968.

Henri Dumoulin is a different company, still operating today.

 

[Earle]

Lots of info on Henri Dumoulin/ but zip on F Dumoulin.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

François Dumoulin, Liege, Belguim, founded in 1894, closed in 1968.

Henri Dumoulin is a different company, still operating today.

Nyati, are you sure he’s still in business? His website has been inactive for many years. Do you know anybody who’s recently commissioned a rifle or shotgun from him ?

 

[Nyati]

Nyati, are you sure he’s still in business? His website has been inactive for many years. Do you know anybody who’s recently commissioned a rifle or shotgun from him ?

I had the idea he was still in business, but you are right, I can´t find any recent activity of them.

Maybe @VertigoBE can chime in and tell us more

 

[VertigoBE]

I had the idea he was still in business, but you are right, I can´t find any recent activity of them.

Maybe @VertigoBE can chime in and tell us more

Dumoulin has stopped. I believe the last generation to still build rifles, passed away some years ago, and his wife is selling off the estate. As far as I can tell, there is no website, or easy way to contact her anymore.

Currently in the category of still active Belgian fine arms builders that I know off are:
Marcel Thys
Alexandre Hanssen
Paul Pletsers

The first one, Thys, is world renowned. The latter two are younger and still need to make their name. But for for far less than a Rigby big game, you can have a fully custom rifle engraved. Custom, of the highest quality, but without the Rigby price tag (nor resale value either of course)

There might be some other makers still out there, but difficult to tell for me.

A Paul Pletsers 416 rigby, asking 22500€

A Hanssen 375 flanged double rifle still in the white:

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

That double rifle has nice form.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Dumoulin has stopped. I believe the last generation to still build rifles, passed away some years ago, and his wife is selling off the estate. As far as I can tell, there is no website, or easy way to contact her anymore.

Currently in the category of still active Belgian fine arms builders that I know off are:
Marcel Thys
Alexandre Hanssen
Paul Pletsers

The first one, Thys, is world renowned. The latter two are younger and still need to make their name. But for for far less than a Rigby big game, you can have a fully custom rifle engraved. Custom, of the highest quality, but without the Rigby price tag (nor resale value either of course)

There might be some other makers still out there, but difficult to tell for me.

A Paul Pletsers 416 rigby, asking 22500€
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A Hanssen 375 flanged double rifle still in the white:
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Unfortunately, Marcel Thys is retired. I always wanted him to build me one of his beautiful .600 Nitro Express sidelock ejector double rifles.

 

[Sanglier14]

And our most famous Belgian gunmakers Lebeau-Courally.

 

[VertigoBE]

Unfortunately, Marcel Thys is retired. I always wanted him to build me one of his beautiful .600 Nitro Express sidelock ejector double rifles.

I suspected as much, but thought there was still something being produced.

 

[VertigoBE]

And our most famous Belgian gunmakers Lebeau-Courally.

Right... how could I forget them.
However I'm not convinced they are still active. Their website no longer links to their guns... only the watches and clothes still link somewhere.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Right... how could I forget them.
However I'm not convinced they are still active. Their website no longer links to their guns... only the watches and clothes still link somewhere.

You’re right. They also closed shop in 2020.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Right... how could I forget them.
However I'm not convinced they are still active. Their website no longer links to their guns... only the watches and clothes still link somewhere.

Watches?

 

[Phil Giordano]

And our most famous Belgian gunmakers Lebeau-Courally.

...and Francotte, also.

 

[VertigoBE]

Watches?

yeah...

 

[VertigoBE]

...and Francotte, also.

I believe the same as Dumoulin, closed up shop years ago.

 

[Phil Giordano]

I believe the same as Dumoulin, closed up shop years ago.

Yes, very sad
One of the greatest

 

[VertigoBE]

What the Belgian small gun makers need, is more publicity. The world of fine arms is already not big, and the Belgians have no great gun and rifle making houses anymore. No young blood, not enough foreign buyers ordering them. The Belgian market itself is too small.

Hanssen told me that his biggest market is in France, where he has a small fan club. He is French speaking, so selling his wares on the international market is less straightforward.

 

[Nyati]

A shame, all those master gunmakers disappearing !

 

[Rare Breed]

Dumoulin has stopped. I believe the last generation to still build rifles, passed away some years ago, and his wife is selling off the estate. As far as I can tell, there is no website, or easy way to contact her anymore.

Currently in the category of still active Belgian fine arms builders that I know off are:
Marcel Thys
Alexandre Hanssen
Paul Pletsers

The first one, Thys, is world renowned. The latter two are younger and still need to make their name. But for for far less than a Rigby big game, you can have a fully custom rifle engraved. Custom, of the highest quality, but without the Rigby price tag (nor resale value either of course)

There might be some other makers still out there, but difficult to tell for me.

A Paul Pletsers 416 rigby, asking 22500€
View attachment 511208

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View attachment 511210

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A Hanssen 375 flanged double rifle still in the white:
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View attachment 511215

Wow. Love wood and engraving!!! Thanks for sharing. Truly beautiful!