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
Louis Malherbe
Voici un fusil de chasse à deux canons juxtaposés à platines à silex signé par
l’armurier liégeois Louis Malherbe (Ls Mbe). Une production tardive, sans doute
sur commande. Un peu "tape à l’œil" : vu de loin, c’est joli, mais ce n’est pas
du haut de gamme.
Les marquages:
ELG sur étoile dans un ovale : acceptation de 1846 à 1893.
u couronné : contremarque d’un contrôleur, en usage de
1853 à 1877.
EL : épreuve provisoire, depuis 1852 jusqu’à nos jours.
15.8 : sans doute le diamètre du canon.
LM sous couronne : les initiales de Louis Malherbe.
Louis Malherbe a été inscrit au Banc d’épreuves de Liège de 1842 à 1875. Selon
un almanach de 1844, il est renseigné comme fabricant d’armes de luxe et de
guerre. Il est installé 41 rue Souverain-Pont à Liège.
En vertu des poinçons, on peut donc dire que l’arme a été réalisée entre 1853 et
1875. Soit bien après la période des armes à silex.
GP avec l’aide de HPH et PHL.
Louis Malherbe
To be lawful, a Belgian weapon was to pass to the Manufactory of the State street St Léonard to Liege and after tests, to receive the military lawful punches there.
That is not the case on this rifle of gauge 18 say you and marked Louis MALHERBE in LIEGE.
This weapon is equipped with a lock said “behind” and with a triangular against-lock.
The barrel is with sides with the thunder then round to the mouth. This barrel seems to me it is provided with a rise with small planks but that is not very visible on the photographs.
The weapon carries the punch ELG spangled in an oval which is the mark of final acceptance of the proofhouse of Liege, punch used of 1846 to 1893.
Mark LM crowned is of course the mark of MALHERBE but I am unaware of the significance of the "m" (tiny, read so well) overcome of a crown?
With regard to the manufacturer himself, Who’s Who of arms manufacturer of Liège says to us that it was registered in the capacity as manufacturer to the proofhouse of Liege of 1842 to 1875 and it is unfortunately all that we currently know about this man.
GG
Pictures of the collection of Jean-Louis G. with our grateful thanks
L.MALHERBE
It acts of a gun of pocket with trunk and percussion of very neat completion.
The barrel which one can unscrew (for forced ball) is in Damas.
The trigger is retractable without trigger guard and the trunk is engraved flowers and arabesques in hollow bottom.
The stick is out of ebony or false ebony.
MALHERBE Louis manufacturer of weapons in Liege was registered with the proof tests of Liège of 1842 to 1875.
GG
Many thanks to Albert Mardaga for the photos
