*Belgian, Interwar, Double-Barrel Shotgun, Sawn-Off, Old Specification Deactivated*
Serial number: 8459
Calibre: 12 bore
Origin: Liège, Belgium
Date: circa 1920s–1930s
Belgian double-barrel shotgun of inter-war Liège manufacture, boxlock action with press-button opening, serial number 8459, subsequently shortened and now correctly EU deactivated to the earlier specification.
The gun is fitted with smoothbore barrels and a traditional top-lever opening system. When the top lever is pushed to the right, a sprung, star-marked button automatically protrudes from the top of the action and engages the safety. This automatic safety mechanism is characteristic of Belgian and Continental sporting shotguns, placing the gun on safe as the breech is opened and providing both visual and tactile confirmation of the safety status. The safety can be manually disengaged once the action is closed.
The shotgun bears correct Belgian proof and inspection marks, including the Perron inspection mark for the breeching system, cursive EL provisional barrel proofs, and a star-over-U controller’s mark attributable to Hubert Charlier, a Liège proof house inspector active between 1923 and 1953. These marks, together with the presence of EL proofs reserved for smoothbore barrels after 1924, place manufacture within the inter-war period. This dating is further supported by the gun’s construction and features, including the press-button boxlock action, automatic safety that engages as the action is opened, star-marked safety button, forged smoothbore barrels, and stock form and chequering characteristic of Belgian sporting shotguns of the 1920s–1930s.
Originally produced as a full-length sporting shotgun, the barrels were shortened prior to deactivation. The arm was deactivated in Belgium in January 2024 in accordance with EU regulations, and is accompanied by its EU deactivation certificate.
Historical Note:
In the early 20th century, Liège was one of the world’s leading centres of sporting gun manufacture, supplying both European and export markets through a network of specialist craftsmen working under the supervision of the Liège Proof House. Belgian shotguns of this period commonly followed British sporting patterns while incorporating distinctive Continental features such as automatic safeties and press-button controls. The proof and controller marks applied during inspection provide valuable evidence of origin and date, with the marks on this example placing its manufacture firmly in the inter-war years, when Liège production was at its height.
*Condition*
The gun shows honest age-related wear throughout, including surface patina to the metalwork, scattered light pitting, and handling marks consistent with use and age. The stock retains good colour and grain with expected wear, minor marks, and softened edges to the chequering. Mechanically inactive as deactivated, with all principal external components present and intact. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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