*Belgian, c1930, Folding Poacher’s Gun, Made by A.W. (Warnant family), .410 bore, Liège proof marks , Deactivated*
A scarce Belgian folding single-shot “poacher” pocket gun, .410 bore (marked “10” on the barrel), maker stamped A.W. on the barrel flat. Serial number 8303. The gun is a classic Warnant-type folding design with external hammer, single trigger and chequered walnut fore-end/stock, folding to pocket length. Barrel is 24 in (see measurements). The barrel and action bear Liège proof marks including the Perron device (stylised pillar/chevrons), the provisional proof “E L” stamping and a controller countermark ★J, confirming official inspection at the Liège Proof House. The piece also carries Birmingham Proof House crossed-sceptres and is supplied with the Birmingham Proof House deactivation certificate (No. 166934) dated 24 Jan 2022 — deactivated to current specification and legally non-firing.
Marks & identification (technical)
• Maker: stamped A.W. (attributed to Warnant-type Liège manufacture).
• Liège proof marks: Perron (stylised pillar/chevrons), provisional proof “E L”, controller countermark ★J (controller’s letter mark).
• Bore mark: “10” (Liège nominal millimetric bore marking — consistent with .410 / ≈10.4 mm).
• Birmingham crossed-sceptres deactivation stamp; certificate No. 166934 dated 24 Jan 2022.
(Notes: “E L” is the Liège provisional proof mark in use from 1852; ★J is the controller countermark — recorded use of ★J spans the 20th century. The A.W. attribution is the most likely maker attribution given the folding Warnant pattern; other small Liège workshops sometimes used similar initials.)
Historical note:
Attributed to the Liège trade and the Warnant family tradition (A.W.), this folding poacher’s gun follows a well-documented Liège pattern built for pocket concealment and easy carriage in an overcoat. The Liège Proof House markings (Perron, “E L”, *J controller mark) indicate Belgian inspection under the long-standing Liège proofing system; the maker’s initials A.W. on such folding patterns are conventionally associated with the Warnant family/works (Auguste/Warnant lineage), though short initial marks in the Liège trade can occasionally represent other small workshops. The gun was later submitted to Birmingham for deactivation and certified in 2022.
*Condition*
Mechanically sound in its deactivated state. Action closes and locks correctly; external hammer and single trigger operate as designed for a deactivated example and does not cock and dry-fire. Metalwork retains much original finish with expected light wear, surface patina and minor freckling consistent with age and service; areas of light re-blueing/polish in places. Woodwork (folding stock/fore-end) in very good order with chequer intact, minor knocks and surface compression marks consistent with pocket carry — no splits. Proof marks and maker’s stamp are readable on the barrel flat and action. Supplied with the original Birmingham Proof House deactivation certificate. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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