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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

DEFOURNY Antoine Joseph

Here is a beautiful shotgun juxtaposed with turrets by Antoine Joseph Defourny, already mentioned on the site and in the Who's Who of "armurerie Liegeoise".

He was active from 1894 to 1959.

The weapon dates from 1937.

Markings

AH under star: controller countermark, in use from 1877 to 1968;

Peron (little step): inspection by the proofhouse of Liège;

Lion on PV: smokeless powder test, in use from 1898 to 1968;

1kg 308 : barrel weight, in use since 1924 ;

Annual letter p for 1937

ELG on star in crowned oval: accepted, in use from 1893 to 1968;

12-70 in coated omega : nominal size and length of the casing, in use since 1924.

DEFOURNY Antoine Joseph (?)

Here is a 22 calibre rifle made in Liège very strongly inspired by the rifle of Antoine Joseph Defourny which can be found on this section.

It even looks like we’ve hammered the inscription on the left side of the breech...but I can’t be categorical.

The handle under the barrel is certainly not original.

The markings

R crowned: indicates that the barrel is rifled (in use since 1894)

22L: calibre 22 long

Lion on PV: smokeless powder test (in use since 1898);

M under star: countermark a controller, in use since 1877;

ELG on star in oval crowned: Acceptance by the Test Bank of Liège, in use since 1893;

Peron: inspection, in use since 1853.

GP with the help of Michel Druart

DEFOURNY Antoine Joseph.

Fabricant d’armes.

Rue Petite Voie Herstal (1894).

Rue Nicolas Defrêcheux, 31 Herstal (1900).

Rue Champs de Foxhalle Herstal (1902).

Rue de Jupille, 291 Bressoux (1905).

Rue Nicolas Defrêcheux, 129 Herstal (1909-1911).

Rue Nicolas Defrêcheux, 81 Herstal (1913-1933) (Ann.1924).

A. J. DEFOURNY

Beautiful double shotgun juxtaposed smooth, gauges 12, locks ahead hammerless, key top, safety on the tail of breech, stick English. English engraving.

Punches

They are the punches of the proof house of Liège, detailed as follows:

Spangled ELG in a crowned oval: acceptance - 1893/1968

PV surmounted of a stylized lion: test with the powder without smoke - 1898/1968

Peron: inspection - 1853/our days.

12-70 in large C: gauge nominal and length of the casing - 1924/our days

1K244: weight of the gun - 1924 at our days

V stylized: yearly letter of 1953.

12312: job number

Marks

A.J. DEFOURNY manufacturer Herstal Belgium: without comment. Already evoked on the site.

A.J.P. Patend: mark of this manufacturer.

Medal: mark DEFOURNY.

AKAH: this mark does not evoke anything for me.

I noticed on your site, when I was looking for info on A J Defourny, that you mentioned a mark----AKAH and suggested that it meant nothing to you.

This is the mark of Alfred Kahn of Germany.

He was an importer and seller of high grade guns as well as fine guns made in Germany.

This was the mark of his company. The mark on the Belgian gun that is pictured from our friend Geno is his mark. It must be that the gun was wholesaled by Defourny to Kahn and sold retail in Germany.

Hope this is helpful.

Best to you,

John Mann in New Hampshire, USA

Many thanks to "LUXARM - BRASSCHAAT" for the pictures

Photos Alantrigger