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
Bernard L.
Here is
a shotgun with juxtaposed barrels and outside hammers of Liège manufacture.
The key
is located in front of the bridge. "English" butt. Butt forearm are carved. Rear
locks.
The
markings
Peron:
inspection by the proofhouse of Liège, in use since 1853;
ELG on
star in oval: accepted, in use from 1846 to 1893
EL:
provisional proof, in use since 1852;
17.0:
diameter in mm: this is probably a 16 gauge;
D under
star: countermark of a controller, in use since 1877;
L.
Bernard on the gun:
there is a problem: the name “Bernard”
is of course very well known in Liège, there have been several, see the “Who is
who of the Liège armoury”, and the website littlegun.
I can find only two
L. Bernard,
who were also contemporaries: a
Lambert Bernard
enrolled on the proofhouse from 1836 to 1865, and a
Lambert Joseph
Bernard, enrolled only three years at the
proofhouse, from 1848 to 1851.
However,
the rifle we are dealing with dates, according to the punches, between 1877 and
June 11, 1892, the day on which the mention of the weight of the barrels entered
into force in the proofhouse of Liège (not present on this rifle).
I hope that the rest of the team will come across more
data or a third
L. Lambert
contemporary of this fine-looking rifle.
GP
Bernard L.
