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
Bayet Frères
Rifle Comblain II with long lever for Peru
This rifle is the model ordered by Peru at the beginning of 1869. According to an article published in the review “The Gun”, by the hand of Jonathan Kirton, the specimens delivered to Peru mainly carry the stamp of G. Mordant, but it seems that at least two other members of the “Trade Union” also manufactured this model, among others, undoubtedly, this specimen signed Bayet Frères (registered with the Liege Proof House from 1860 to 1881).
Again, according to Jon Kirton, it is probable that other specimens of this rifle were used for tests with the Belgian army, “what explains why so many specimens are still with the MRA” dixit Kirton.
The principal characteristic is therefore the double curl lever.
Peruvian Comblains were brought into service Ca. 1872, probably successfully, since in June 1873, Colonel Castonon returned to Belgium to order other specimens, but it had to buy other weapons, because the manufacturers were overloaded by other orders, in particular for the Belgian army, but also for Chile (20.000 rifles) and Brazil. Chile and Peru fought each other between 1879 and 1883 during the War of the Pacific, both armed with Comblain rifles.
The ammunition of this weapon should be the Belgian cartridge of the time (that for tge Chilean rifle is slightly different).
The bayonet should be similar to the first Belgian bayonet for the Comblain 1870 rifle, therefore rather similar to that of French Chassepot rifle, but with a leather scabbard.
GP & GG
Markings
Of the Proof House
Star/ELG in an oval – acceptance stamp from 1846 to 1893.
Perron: post 1853 inspection stamp.
X crowned: countermark of the controller - 1853 to 1877.
Of the inventor:
Comblain II Patented(without comment)
Of the manufacturer:
BAYET Fres in LIEGE - They were registered with the Liege Proof House from 1860 to 1881.
Others:
The stamp LAM in a triangle is that of Léopold Ancion-Marx, (28 rue Grangagnage in Liege), a firm registered with the House of proof from 1890 to 1935 before continuing under another corporate name. The presence of this mark, which appeared only in 1890, is ifficult to explain.
P - D in a circle - 51: probably a workshop mark.
Conclusions
The weapon was obviously manufactured by BAYET Frères whose dates of activities correspond to those of the weapon.
Several hypothesis are possible, including the repurchasing of a batch of COMBLAIN
Short Rifles downgraded by the army, by ANCION-MARX, which would have reconditioned, marked and resold the weapons on the civilian market ?
GG
Photos Littlegun
