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
THEATE Frères.
This is a revolver with a rimmed barrel, based on the
classic architecture of British Bull Dog revolvers. In addition to the
distinctive barrel, the weapon features a safety activated on the left side of
the frame: these two features strongly suggest that this revolver was intended
for the German market. The fluted cylinder is chambered in 7.62 Russian caliber,
originally designed in 1895 for Nagant revolvers. The revolver has an 8-shot
capacity, according to an examination of available photographs. The grip is
equipped with beautiful dark-colored grip plates (probably hardened rubber),
which are decorated with an engraving of a lion, as well as a cap ring.
Markings:
Crowned R: Verification mark for rifled handguns, from
January 30, 1894, to February 26, 1968.
F under a star: Countermark of the inspector after 1877.
N9, unidentified marking, is this a serial or
registration number?
ELG over a star in an oval under a crown: Final
acceptance after 1893.
"Cartridge No. 7.62 Russian," indicating the caliber.
Crowned L on the rear of the cylinder: Attributed to one
of the two forges/foundries supplying the cylinders on demand.
A specific marking allows the revolver to be attributed
to the manufacturer Théate Frères: the initials TF in a rectangle, observed on
the frame under the right grip. This firm is well known on the site.
It should be noted that a revolver of the same design is
visible on the site, but chambered in 8mm Lebel.
In conclusion, this 7.62 Nagant revolver was manufactured by the firm
Théate Frères, 5 rue Trappé, Liège (registered with the Liège proof house from
1907 to 1950). The weapon's characteristics strongly suggest that it was
intended for the German market. Analysis of the punch marks and the caliber
indicate production after 1895.
Chris, HPH
THEATE Frères.
Here is
an “ordinary” shotgun with
one
barrel from the Liège house
THEATE Frères,
based on a barrel by
Mathieu HAVART.
It was most likely marketed by the Liège-based company
SCHROEDER
Frères. Pistol stick, outside hammer,
opening key behind the hammer.
Markings
Choke
18.4: choke gun, in use from 1924 to 1968;
EL:
provisional proof, in use since 1852;
1kg226 :
barrel weight, in use since 1924 ;
g:
annual letter for 1928;
x under
asterisk: controller countermark, in use from 1877 to 1968;
lion on
PV: smokeless powder test, in use from 1898 to 1968;
ELG on
star in crowned oval: accepted, in use from 1893 to 1968;
12-70 in
coated omega: nominal size and length of the sleeve, in use since 1924;
TF:
THEATE
Brothers;
MH 4128
: it could be the rifle barrel manufacturer
Mathieu HAVART,
of Chaudfontaine, of which we know he was active around 1914, but thus perhaps
later also.
Legiarm
on the barrel: to be connected with the house
SCHROEDER
Frères (Max and Charles Edouart), 8 rue
Simonon in Liège, registered at the proofhouse of Liège from 1919 to 1938.
Legiarm
was his telegraphic address.
The house
THEATE Frères
(Ernest and Adolphe) was established on Rue Trappé, 5, in Liège. It was
registered at the Liège proofhouse from 1907 to 1950.
GP with the help of PHL.
THEATE Frères.
THEATE Frères street Trappé, 5 in Liege which were registered with the proofhouse of Liege of 1907 to 1950.
This is cal 32/65 .
Thanks for the nice pictures to Epimenidis Platsidakis owner of www.fineguns.gr
Théate Frères.
1862-1965.
Print plug of catalogue
Theate Freres
Theate Freres centerfire pistol, 2 barrels, cal. 455. The barrels are 6 1/2 inches long and overall it is 12 inches long.
Richard
Theate Freres
Belgian 9-shot Revolver "Maxim"
(Theate Freres?), cal 8mm Lebel, serial #19, barrel 4 1/4 inch, overall length 8 1/2 inches, "MAXIM" in gold letters on top of bridge, serial number 19 repeated on frame, under right grip, on extractor, hammer, cylinder, etc. , #47 stamped once on left side of frame, PH stamped on left frame under grip, cartouche with TF stamped on right frame under grip, original grips with Lion mark, right grip repaired, on cylinder: crown/L, Liège mark, star/U, on right of action and barrel: star/U.
Richard Young
The weapon:
It acts of a revolver of German bulldog type because of its hemmed barrel.
This revolver with 9 shots with swinging cylinder comprises a rifled bore and shoot the 8 mm Lebel in particular.
The rubber grips are with the emblem of the lion like the almost identical specimen discovered in a catalogue MASEREEL (see below)
The punches
It acts of the punches of the proof tests of Liege is:
Spangled ELG in a crowned oval - acceptance of 1893 to 1968.
C spangled: countermark of the controller of 1877 to 1968.
L crowned: mark currently unknown but often met, a study is in hand.
The manufacturer
Mark TF in a rectangle lying is without question one of the marks of THEATE Frères street Trappé, 5 in Liege which were registered with the proof test of Liège of 1907 to 1950.
MAXIM: does unknown factor at THEATE (to my knowledge) It act of one incrustation to the fine gold perhaps realized by or for one of the owners?
PH: mark unknown.
GG
Thanks to Richard for the photos.
Theate Freres
TT&C copy of" Webley British Bulldog" Revolver cal. 500, Serial #11, barrel 2 5/8 inches, overall length 6 1/2 inches
Richard Young
Traditional revolver of the type "bulldog" often described on the site.
It carries the punches of the bench of test of Liege is:
Spangled ELG in a crowned oval: acceptance - 1893 to 1968.
Spangled AI (read so well?) countermark of the controller - 1877/1968.
Mark of the manufacturer
Mark TT & C are a mark used by THEATE Frères, street Trappé, 5 in Liege.
GG
Theate Freres
Lambin & Theate 2-Barrel center-fire pistol, break-open, cal. 450, barrels 4 inches, overall length 8 1/2 inches, smooth bore, minor engraving on action and barrels, Cartouche with TT&C on right frame under grip, cal 450 marked on top between barrels, #2 and #1 marked on bottom of barrels.
Richard
