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
COLEYE M. N.
Here is another
COLEYE M. N.
(with only one L).
This one
is in an extraordinary condition!!
M.N. COLEYE
This is more an army rifle that a hunting gun, centrer fire, 13mm caliber.
The grooves are helicoidal.
This is a top break gun featuring a curious opening system located in front of the breech frame.
By only actuating a kind of trigger lever, the weapon opens, also actuating cartridge extraction.
The weapon is 1255 mm long and the barrel is 870 mm
The pear-shaped metal cleaning rod measures 680 mm and is threaded at bottom while its hollow top part is 13 mm long.
The round barrel is mounted at its end with a bayonet bar thus attesting its military vocation.
This barrel is also mounted with a rearsight with slide marked 1120 on top and graduated towards the bottom from 4 to 11.
The weapon is marked M.N. COLEYE BREVETE and is most probably of Liege origin.
However no COLEYE with only one L is listed in the Liege arms manufacturers .
Several COLLEYE are known, like COLLEYE M.N arms manufacturer in Hoignée Cheratte. This one was distinguished by the registration, in 1855, of a patent for a pistol with a sliding block but nothing in regard to the present gun??
So far nothing has been found on researching a corresponding COLEYE or COLLEYE patent Any info from a reader/scholar will be appreciated.
GG
