Little old double barreled pistol

M ELEY · 1st February 2012, 03:10 PM

Liege was a major manufacturer of many patterns that were shipped world-wide. They made a large bore flintlock pistol that was used by naval personnel as boarding pistols (they lacked a ram-rod, as in the fray of boarding, one shot was all you got!). The boarding pistol of which I speak has the smaller ELG marking, with a V over crown. Time period was 1800-30. Also had a lanyard ring to tie rope to it and your wrist, thus not being washed over the side of the ship in battle. I'm told this same pattern (my pistol, not the one being discussed) also used by mounted British troops in Africa? Perhaps it was the Belgians?? Here is an article on the boarding pistol and Liege-

Don't want to take away from the original thread, just add info on the manufacturer-

(Well, article giving me some trouble on my server!!)
google search 'Dutch-Belgian Navy pistol littlegun' and you'll see it...

M ELEY · 1st February 2012, 03:27 PM

Ahhh, just looked it up-

The smaller ELG on weapons denotes 1810-1840, a much larger ELG is post 1840, and an odd single 'candle-holder' type mark is early Liege, circa 1672-1810. These folks had been making respected weapons for many countries for quite some time.

fernando · 1st February 2012, 03:38 PM

Liege (province) has a great firearms history. They used to make the finest stuff in the XVIII century. Later they were invaded by Napoleon, from whose system rules were established, like the imposing of proof marks. Coming the XIX century (becoming Belgium) production was massified and they started replicating all kinds of models, some under contract and implicit quality rules and other countless pieces without the minimum of standards ... including safety.
When you find a pistol for sale over here, the probability that it has the Liege punctions in it are extremely high.

Maurice · 2nd February 2012, 09:23 AM

Thank you again for your great help!
Now I know it was probably Belgium, I contacted a Belgium friend of mine.
He gave me the same information as you guys, so the mistery is solved to me.

Indeed they seem to be made in larger quantities at that time!

broadaxe · 4th February 2012, 05:56 PM

Just to support my colleagues here: Belgian two-barrells box-lock boot gun. I see them occasionaly even here (Israel) as family heirlooms and field finds (in bad shape). Along the 19th century Belgium was a major supplier of both small and large arms to the region. Would you like to see a Liege 3-ton muzzle loader?

Maurice · 6th February 2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Just to support my colleagues here: Belgian two-barrells box-lock boot gun. I see them occasionaly even here (Israel) as family heirlooms and field finds (in bad shape). Along the 19th century Belgium was a major supplier of both small and large arms to the region. Would you like to see a Liege 3-ton muzzle loader?

Thanks for the confirmation!
Sure, would like to see the muzzle loader!

Rg,
Maurice

Matchlock · 6th February 2012, 11:02 AM

Hi Maurice,

Your little double-barrel percussion pistol belongs to a well-known group of cheap Liège-made Belgian mass production firearms which were used as noise makers to scare off starlings fron vineyards (German: Weinbergpistole). They were almost identically manufactured from the 1870's thru the 1940's and came either single- or double-barreled.

Best,
Michael

broadaxe · 6th February 2012, 11:54 AM

Here you go: this giant is mounted on the wall of old Acre, length is 2.75m, bore is ~230mm.

6th February 2012, 11:02 AM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Maurice, Your little double-barrel percussion pistol belongs to a well-known group of cheap Liège-made Belgian mass production firearms which were used as noise makers to scare off starlings fron vineyards (German: Weinbergpistole). They were almost identically manufactured from the 1870's thru the 1940's and came either single- or double-barreled. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 6th February 2012 at 01:58 PM.

6th February 2012, 11:54 AM	#8
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Here you go: this giant is mounted on the wall of old Acre, length is 2.75m, bore is ~230mm. Attached Images

1st February 2012, 03:10 PM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Liege was a major manufacturer of many patterns that were shipped world-wide. They made a large bore flintlock pistol that was used by naval personnel as boarding pistols (they lacked a ram-rod, as in the fray of boarding, one shot was all you got!). The boarding pistol of which I speak has the smaller ELG marking, with a V over crown. Time period was 1800-30. Also had a lanyard ring to tie rope to it and your wrist, thus not being washed over the side of the ship in battle. I'm told this same pattern (my pistol, not the one being discussed) also used by mounted British troops in Africa? Perhaps it was the Belgians?? Here is an article on the boarding pistol and Liege- Don't want to take away from the original thread, just add info on the manufacturer- (Well, article giving me some trouble on my server!!) google search 'Dutch-Belgian Navy pistol littlegun' and you'll see it...

1st February 2012, 03:27 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Ahhh, just looked it up- The smaller ELG on weapons denotes 1810-1840, a much larger ELG is post 1840, and an odd single 'candle-holder' type mark is early Liege, circa 1672-1810. These folks had been making respected weapons for many countries for quite some time.

1st February 2012, 03:38 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Liege (province) has a great firearms history. They used to make the finest stuff in the XVIII century. Later they were invaded by Napoleon, from whose system rules were established, like the imposing of proof marks. Coming the XIX century (becoming Belgium) production was massified and they started replicating all kinds of models, some under contract and implicit quality rules and other countless pieces without the minimum of standards ... including safety. When you find a pistol for sale over here, the probability that it has the Liege punctions in it are extremely high.

2nd February 2012, 09:23 AM	#4
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	Thank you again for your great help! Now I know it was probably Belgium, I contacted a Belgium friend of mine. He gave me the same information as you guys, so the mistery is solved to me. Indeed they seem to be made in larger quantities at that time!

4th February 2012, 05:56 PM	#5
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	Just to support my colleagues here: Belgian two-barrells box-lock boot gun. I see them occasionaly even here (Israel) as family heirlooms and field finds (in bad shape). Along the 19th century Belgium was a major supplier of both small and large arms to the region. Would you like to see a Liege 3-ton muzzle loader?