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
DEBOUXTAY Dieudonné - SIMON Noël
Here is a small Puppy revolver in 320 caliber black powder. It is a very classic example of this category of pocket weapons that flooded the European market (also very present in the USA) during the last quarter of the 19th century. It is a variation of the concept of the RIC and Bull Dogs revolvers introduced in Birmingham by Webley during the 1870s. These small revolvers were produced by many craftsmen in England, Spain, Germany, and Belgium. Distributed in gun shops and bicycle stores, but also by catalog (Manufrance for example), they supplanted the pepperboxes and small-caliber Lefaucheux revolvers thanks to their convenient (for the time) loading and unloading system as well as their centerfire ammunition, more powerful and easier to handle than pinfire ammunition. It was the widespread use of smokeless powder handguns from the end of the 19th century that gradually led to their decline until the First World War. This bronzed example features a retractable trigger, as is often the case with small revolvers produced in Liège. Its slightly arched bird's head grip is fitted with checkered wooden grips. It is a simple, unpretentious weapon, but it appears to be of good quality, and its six shots are well-suited to fulfilling their purpose at the time: to reassure its owner. Indeed, its size and lightness are designed to be easily carried in a pocket or handbag.
Markings:
Frame under the grips:
D.D Bté
This puppy revolver is clearly marked D.D brevet, so it can be attributed to Dieudonné Debouxtay.
But also NS; could this be the craftsman Noël Simon through a collaboration?
Number 8: Serial number or assembly indication. Right-hand receiver:
Crowned R: Verification mark for rifled handguns: from January 30, 1894, to February 26, 1968.
AH joined under a star: Inspector's mark from January 27, 1877.
Front of cylinder: Numbers 1 and 8, assembly instructions?
Rear of cylinder: ELG over a star in a crowned oval: Proof house mark after 1893.
AH joined under a star: Inspector's mark from January 27, 1877.
Crowned C: (Probably) marking of one of the two forges casting the barrels to order.
In conclusion, this small 320 PN
Puppy revolver was manufactured in Liège by the craftsman Dieudonné Debouxtay,
at 447-449 rue Saint Léonard, and was proofed from 1879 to 1934, possibly with
the collaboration of his colleague Noël Simon. The hallmarks allow us to date
the weapon's production after 1894.
Chris, HPH
