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
BERLEUR Guillaume Joseph
This was (almost certainly) a Dutch light cavalry
pistol model 1815 manufactured by
Guillaume Berleur
of Liège, probably during the Dutch period (1815-1830).
According
to some sources, it was inspired by the French model AN IX pistol, but it is
distinguished by the lack of rod (the rider used the rod of his rifle).
According
to another Dutch source, the inspiration comes from the 1789 model of the
Austrian cavalry, which also does not have a rod. The marking means that it is a
weapon of the 8th Company, weapon number 5.
Unfortunately, there is no record of an order from the
Dutch army to Guillaume Berleur
for this model of pistol.
Too bad
he lost his hammer.
Guillaume
Joseph Berleur
was active in Vinâve d’Ile in Liège between 1780 and 1840. It is already widely
mentioned on the site, both among Belgian artisans and in the exceptional
collection.
GP with the help of MW.
BERLEUR Guillaume
This
weapon belongs to Guillaume Berleur.
It bears markings that are almost certainly Dutch regimental. So between 1815 and 182... even 1830.
Troops equipped with a rifle/musket and a pistol (the rod of the rifle/musket is also used for the pistol).
Dragons
and so on.
GP
BERLEUR Guillaume
Liege pair percussion pistols signed
G. Berleur,
caliber 14 mm fine grooves, length 35 cm.
Brown
damast barrels with on the left side the ELG Proofmarks.
Case
hardened locks with the signature G. Berleur (Guillaume Berleur Liege).
Engraved
case hardened mounts. Set triggers. Carved stock.
With my grateful thanks to Bolkantiques for these very nice pictures
BERLEUR Guillaume
Guillaume BERLEUR was a famous Liège arms manufacturer Liège whose activity extended from 1780 to 1840. He worked with his brother MICHEL.
At the Revolutionary period in LIEGE, the gun trade was controlled by the French military and activity was quite reduced. Around the 1800's, many Liege arms workmen were sent or went voluntarily to the Manufacture of VERSAILLE, instead of serving a mandatory military service in the ''Grande Armée'',
Therefore, G BERLEUR worked under direct control of Director Artist Nicolas BOUTET.
After the Revolution BERLEUR settled in a property recently acquired in Vinâve d' Ile in LIEGE.
In 1810 he deposits his mark: G Berleur, engraved in cursive letters on the lock of his guns.
He manufactured bayonets while also dealing in firearms.
The two flintlock pistols in the photographs have ''blunderbuss'' type barrels and 1st EMPIRE style type stocks with a splendid gilded thumb piece . All accessories are also made of brass.
I did not see any mention of any stamp or marking on the photographs. Also I cannot know the calibers nor if the gun is smoothboree or rifled (hair rifling??common at the time).
In fact the rifling of the barrel are so fine that they are called ''hair rifling".
GG
Photographs pleasantly authorized by Collectors Firearms
