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
RONCARATI
It is a one-shot rifle,
probably of caliber 12, semi-pistol, top lever key opening, safety button in the
bridge, summary engraving, marked
VERREES & C° Ltd Liège Belgium
on the left side, and – even if it is not legible on the photo:
Firearms -
Manufacturing Company upside down on the
right side.
Markings
ELG in crowned oval: acceptance between 1893 and 1968
Lion on PV : powder test 1898-1968
Perron: inspection since 1853
S under asterisk: countermark of the controller since
1877
T under asterisk: countermark of the controller since
1877
EL: provisional event since 1852
Choke 18.3: in use between 1924 and 1968 (appears to be a
slightly shocked 12 caliber)
1kg276 : barrel weight (since 1924)
Greek Annals Letter phi ? for 1961 ?
I did not see any mention of a caliber on the photos
sent.
There are also in a kind of
oval four letters that could be
A J R J, but also
ALRO,
which is the trademark registered by
Albert RONCARATI.
The
RONCARATI family (Alberto, Attilio and
Vito) filed eight patents for long-distance guns, an alarm pistol, the latter
under the brand name ALRO, and
an automatic pistol. There are also the initials
ALRO
inscribed in a rectangle.
It also looks like old markings have been hammered.
VERREES & C° Ltd Liège Belgium,
rue Saint-Gilles 386 in Liège, registered with the proofhouse since 1952 (see
also the
VERREES-OSTE
notice on the site), took over in 1956 the Société Continentale
LEBEAU COURALLY,
specialized in fine weapons. But it continued under its name, and into the years
1980-85, the manufacture and sale of cheap rifles, especially at a stroke like
the one presented. According to Ms Moermans, director of
LEBEAU COURALLY,
VERREES
did not work with
ALRO. But with
Italian and Spanish suppliers.
GP with the help of Ms Moermans, MD and PHL
