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 ou Anciens Etabissements PIEPER ?
Here is a classic hunting rifle juxtaposed with external hammers made in Liège; the pistol butt is highly decorated, we like it or we don’t like it.
There is the mention « J. Manton » on the left lock. And on the barrels « Government tested », « Royal Damascus » and échoke bored ».
The punches
Peron: inspection, in use since 1853;
12 on C in vertical diamond: caliber, in use in 1898 and 1924: thus the period of manufacture of this rifle;
ELG on star in crowned oval: accepted by the Liège proofhouse, in use since 1893;
M under star: countermark of a controller, in use since 1877.
I also see the letters TC and a bigger B, but I couldn’t assign them.
As for J. Manton & C°: there is little and much to say... The name of course refers to the famous British gunsmith active from 1752 to 1854 and his numerous descendants. But here it is either Manton & Company, active in London and Calcutta, which sold hunting weapons and ammunition until 1914, or a name that can be found on weapons imported from Europe and sold in the United States by H & D. Folsom Arms Company.
I read on the Internet that an American site strongly advises against firing cartridges into such a weapon...
Another site suggests that the manufacturer could be Henri PIEPER, or even the Anciens Etablissements PIEPER, which is strongly disputed by other experts.
Finally, another expert who spent his youth in Calcutta assures that this weapon did pass through India before the First World War.
GP with the help of MD and her correspondent.
