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
Alphonse Bernard
Here is a percussion shotgun, equipped with two side-by-side barrels, two
external hammers operated by two triggers under the trigger guard, and a
four-chamber cylinder. The cylinder is operated manually after pushing upwards
the front part of the trigger guard, which unlocks it for rotation. This is one
of countless attempts to develop a repeating action, so desired by gunsmiths
since the invention of firearms.
The weapon is quite imposing, according to the applicant's specifications:
weight of 3.280 kg, cylinder length of 110 mm, Damascus barrel length of 57.8
mm.
The muzzle diameter of the barrel is approximately 14.5 mm, corresponding to
24-gauge.
The applicant provides further details about the system: "The locking mechanism
is accessed by removing the sheet metal receiver held in place by a screw."
Removing the assembly reveals a bar held by two screws which, if removed, would
allow the barrel and four chambers ("cylinder") to be extracted.
This bar has a rectangular lug that fits into a recess and prevents it from
sliding out.
Markings:
Two identical markings are visible on the lower flats of the barrels: a vertical
oval containing the initials A and B under a crown.
This mark has been attributed to the craftsman Alphonse Bernard, already listed
on the site, see:
https://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20b/a%20bernard%20alphonse%20gb.htm
In the absence of any other proof marks or markings, further authentication is
impossible.
However, it can be suggested that this is a prototype produced by Alphonse
Bernard during From the first half of the 19th century.
Chris, HPH, Alain
Alphonse Bernard
It is
about a shotgun of the type LEFAUCHEUX conceived to draw cartridges with pin.
The juxtaposed unrifled bores seem to be of gauge 15 (17.6 mm). The trigger
guard with volutes recovers two curved triggers. The two hammers are with head
punt. The buttplate "on return" is engraved as most other metal parts.
The
weapon presents the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liege, that is to say:
ELG* in
a vertical oval:
final acceptance, of use of 1846 to 1893.
Little
Step:
inspection, of use of 1853 to our days.
EL in
English letters:
provisional test, of use of 1852 to our days.
17.6:
gauge in mm, could correspond to gauge 15!
The
weapon also carries the following marks:
AL
BERNARD
BREVETE
(PATENTS): only one Bernard Al of Liege appearing in documentation appoints the
agent of a Belgian patent in 1855 for a new Damas applicable to the barrels of
weapons of luxury and Damas known as "allongé" (lengthened). Would it be thus
here the manufacturer of barrels of rifles and not the manufacturer of the
weapon which remains anonymous?
AB
crowned in a vertical oval:
trademark of BERNARD AL
75992:
classification of the weapon.
LT:
ignored significance. Marks of a subcontractor??
GG
Note
webmaster:
The Bernard and their works are in my first book.
See : http://www.littlegun.be/livres/a%20a%20livre%20alain%20general.htm
Patent "Damas allongé système Bernard"
