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
Leverd & Counet
Here's a fairly standard folding shotgun, but this one
has the advantage of being attributable to Leverd and Counet, already mentioned
on the site:
In any case, we don't know much about this Jean-Jacques Leverd: the "Who's Who
of Liège Armoury" tells us that he was a gunmaker in Cheratte between 1893 and
1902. He filed two patents for modifications to single-barrel, take-down
shotguns (with Counet?) and another, in 1902 (?), for a modification to Flobert
rifles.
However, an examination of these two patents does not
allow me to say that this shotgun is the result.
In addition, another "strange" device by Jean-Jacques
Leverd can also be found on the site.
It is also included in the exceptional private
collection.
But let's get back to this Leverd and Counet folding
shotgun. Markings
H under star: countermark of an inspector, between 1877
and 1968;
Perron: inspection by the Liège Proof House, from 1853;
14 m on C in diamond: caliber, in use from 1898 to 1924;
ELG over star in crowned oval: acceptance, in use from
1893 to 1968;
L&C Bté in oval: Leverd and Counet hallmark;
12.8: barrel diameter in mm;
EL: provisional proof, in use since 1852;
K under star: countermark of an inspector, between 1877
and 1968.
We can therefore conclude that this rifle was
manufactured between 1898 and 1924.
GP avec
l’aide de HPH.
Leverd & Counet
This is a 16-gauge, single-shot poacher's rifle, which
can be disassembled into three parts, two of which are for the barrel. The first
part of the barrel has a sight and fits onto the breechblock using a bayonet
system similar to that described for Leverd and Counet's poacher's rifles. The
second part of the barrel, which screws onto the previous one, has a front
sight. Leverd and Counet's weapons are well described on the website.
https://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20l/a%20leverd%20jean%20jacques%20fr.htm
The following text is taken from the links above (by GP):
"This is almost
certainly an avatar of patent 106283 filed in 1893 by Messrs. Jean-Jacques
Leverd and Counet...
The barrel, fitted
with two studs of different sizes, fits into the breech and locks after a slight
rotation. The barrel is released after pressing with the right thumb on the nose
of a spring slightly larger than a semicircle, which locks the small lower stud.
Although the photos presented do not allow for a
manufacturer's marking, the general appearance, the concept itself, as well as
the assembly and disassembly system support production by Leverd and Counet.
Markings:
Perron: inspection since 1853.
Number 3 on the hammer, stock, and trigger guard: serial
number?
16.2 (caliber) and 17 on the barrel.
W and AE (or AF) under a star: inspectors' countermarks
since 1877.
Note the absence of an oval ELG in the photos provided.
In conclusion, it's a so-called "poacher's" rifle, in 16 gauge,
manufactured in Liège after 1893 under a patent issued by Leverd and Counet. The
manufacturer was probably the same team.
Chris
