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
PIEPER Henri
Here is a hunting rifle juxtaposed with hammers that has seen better days, but it remains the witness of the production of a famous Liège house, that of the PIEPER dynasty, extensively mentioned on the site and in the book “Bayard, les hommes, les armas et les machines du Chevalier, PIEPER & Cie, 1859-1957” by Michel Druart, as well as in the 5th volume of “Armuriers Liégeois à travers leurs réalisations” by Alain Daubresse.
It was the mention “The Leader” that put us on the (right) track, since the trademark was registered on January 4, 1894 by Henri PIEPER.
A big thank you to the happy owner for having transcribed the stamps and inscriptions:
Laminated Steel Belgium: type of steel used by Henri PIEPER;
18.2: diameter;
EL: provisional proof, in use since 1852;
Perron: inspection by the proofhouse of Liège, in use since 1853;
ELG on star in an oval: accepted by the Liège proofhouse between 1846 and July 11, 1893; we will notice the difference between that date and that of the filing of the mark “The Leader” on January 4, 1894: I presume that the cannon/gun was not sold immediately after the passage to the Test Bench, which gave it time to receive the mark’s stamp...
M, X and B under asterisks: countermarks of controllers, in use between 1877 and 1968.
GP with the help of MD and HPH.
Henri Pieper
Hunting rifle Henri Pieper
H.Pieper Classic 16ga. & .38 Rifle Breech Loader
What an impressive antique weapon!
Front and rear sights. Rib engraved "H. Pieper Patented April 23, 1881 Belgium".
Many thanks to Dave Burr for the photos.
Pieper
Cal 12
