Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman, and many others, are in this book “Liège Gunmakers through their Work. 1800 - 1950”.
For more detail see: LIEGE GUNMAKERS
Christophe Louis
Here a
beautiful shotgun SXS with locks of the house Louis Christophe of Brussels.
Engraving is signed M. Hannay.
The house
Louis Christophe was well-known in Brussels until the beginning of the years
1970. Located Gallery of the Queen, it is related to Henri Mangeot, then in
Joseph Montigny.
M. Hannay
is an engraver of Liège which one finds the trace street of Kinkempois with
Angleur in 1929. He is mentioned in the 1933.1935 and 1938 old directory at
another address, street saint Paul, 39. In the directory of 1944, it is always
with the same address but as a grocer (one can suppose that it had “to be
recycled” during the 2nd GM…). It does not appear any more in the directory of
1953.
GP with the very appreciated assistance of PHL.
Christophe Louis
Christophe Louis
"Mechanical engineer" in Liege and Brussels
Thanks to "Hallantique" for the pictures
L. CHRISTOPHE
The weapon.
The gun.
This is a 12 gauge side by side smooth bore shotgun for small game..
The lock is known as centerfire "hammerless" - Opening by top lever key.
The stock is of English type ; forearm with press stud.
The locks are engraved in English style.
STAMPS
They are the stampsof the Liege House of Proof , detailed as follows:
STAR/ ELG in a crowned oval: acceptance - 1893/1968.
Peron: inspection - 1853 until today.
PV surmounted by a stylized lion: test with smokeless powder - 1898/1968.
12 C in a lozenge: gauge - 1898/1924.
EL: provisional test - 1852 until today.
STAR/ AC and X: counter marks of the controllers - 1877/1968.
P1K296: weight of the barrel for smokeless powders (smooth bore guns) 1892/1924.
The gun was thus manufactured and tested between 1898 and 1924.
The manufacturer.
It is not necessarily a gun manufactured by Louis CHRISTOPHE, but perhaps sold by him after engraving his name on the weapon. It was a very current practice at the time.
Indeed mark Crown/JB on the frame would be that of the craftsman. This mark is unknown to me. It could possibly, considering the period concerned , be that of:
BERTRAND Joseph (1885/1930).
BURY Jules (1896/1947).
If a visitor can identify this mark, his input will be welcome.
GG
Photos Littlegun
