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
WARNANT Jean
Here is a
“big” revolver of calibre .45/450/11mm with question mark. The opening is done
by pressing the two pedals.
Under the plates, there is the mention
J. WARNANT
Patented and on the other side
JH
followed by
SG.
Jean
WARNANT
is extensively mentioned on the website.
He has
filed a multitude of patents, but I have not found one that could match the
weapon in question. There are actually two patents that come into play:
Patent 59519
And 64421, but it's signed
Leonard WARNANT.
Moreover,
and most importantly, it is well known that there are two meanings for the term
“patented”, namely that the gunsmith in question was patented
(recognized/graduated as a gunsmith) or that the weapon was derived from a very
specific patent.
In this
case, I prefer the first meaning (until the day when I will be shown in black
and white exactly which patent it derives from).
As for
JH, a member of
the team found that it could match
Jules HEUR.
Thanks to him.
The date
of manufacture is located in any case between 1877 (x under star) and 22 July
1893 (ELG on star in oval).
GP with help from Chris, Max and HPH.
WARNANT Jean
It is about a revolver with central percussion and box frame. This weapon
is “drop system” i.e. the barrel perhaps rocked towards the line using the lever
placed under the barrel!
The grooved cylinder is with 6 rooms.
The barrel is round and striped with a front sight in half-moon.
The weapon carries the lawful punches of the profhouse of Liege, namely:
ELG on star in a vertical oval: final acceptance, of use of 1846 to 1893.
X spangled: countermark of the controller post 1877.
If I am not mistaken, this weapon corresponds
to the patent n° 062109 of 19 July 1883 deposited by the arms manufacturer
Jean Warnant
of Hoignée-Cheratte.
Appendix: drawing of this patent.
GG
WARNANT Jean
It is a revolver known as a "tilting" or "top-break"
type S&W. The lock is single and double action. The barrel is smooth and has 6
rooms (annular caliber 9 mm !). Simultaneous extraction of the casings is done
with the aid of a ring.
The opening is triggered by a pedal placed on
the top of the console in the style of the S&W
The rifled barrel is 8 sections with a
half-moon front sight.
The grips consists of two wooden plates
(walnut?) connected by a transverse screw and two ear rosettes.. It ends with a
ring and a pivot screw.
This weapon appears to have been the subject of an
invention patent filed by
Jean Warnant on
31.12.1878 under No. 47062 for an improvement in the closing of the S&W
revolvers (see appendices).
The
weapon bears the statutory hallmarks of the Liège proofhouse, namely:
ELG* in
a vertical oval: definitive acceptance, in use from 1846 to 1893.
S star:
countermark of the controller, post 1877.
Finally,
the weapon also bears the following markings:
8 :
serial number?
J.
Warnant breveté
(patented): trademark of the inventor
Jean Warnant
from Hoignée-Cheratte and Liège.
A.
Wespia Berne : this is most likely the dealer in Bern.
GG
WARNANT Jean
Revolver called “Top break” of type S&W. The lock is with simple and double action. The cylinder is smooth and comprises 6 rooms. The opening starts by a pedal placed on the console on the left-hand side behind the cylinder. The rifled bore is with 8 sides with front sight in half-moon. A part of safety should be present according to the patent but I did not see it on the few photographs. The grips consist of two plates in bone connected by a transverse screw and two rivet washers. It ends in a ring and a screw-pivot.
This weapon seems it is the subject of a patent deposited by Jean Warnant the 05.10.1874 under the n° 035536. (see appendices).
The weapon carries the lawful punches of the proofhouse of Liège, namely:
ELG* in a vertical oval: final acceptance, of use of 1846 to 1893.
R spangled: countermark of the controller, post 1877.
Lastly, the weapon also carries the following marks:
J. Warnant Breveté (Patents): mark of the inventor Jean Warnant of Cheratte and Liège. (See historical on the site).
J.S. behind the trigger guard: I am unaware of the significance of it, acts it of a mark of subcontractor or the initial ones of the first owner, I am unaware of it.
Ball with the mention B & D: this mark leaves me perplexed because it does not appear in the file of the marks of manufacturers of Liège. I call upon the reader scholar!
Warnant deposit a patent in common with Edouard Bled but I am unaware of if it is titular of this mark?
GG
WARNANT Jean.
Revolver Warnant calibre .450.
One can see the punches of the proofhouse à Liège - ELG on cylinder - R crowned and M spangled on barrel and cylinder.
Like 33 on the weapon - PH on grips.
WARNANT Jean.
Rue Henri Forir, 49 In Liege.
1850-1914.
Originating in HOIGNEE-CHERATTE but do not reside at it any more from 1883.Dead the 01/01/1913.
Holder of many patents (36) whose famous one platinizes rebounding.
WARNANT, (CREON) Julien.
CHERATTE (HOIGNEE).
Brother of the precedent, him also holder of many patents (24).
GG
Patent of Jean Warnant 1905
UK N° 9379 and N° 9379A
Jean Warnant.
Calibre 9mm.
Marking on the top of the barrel: "THE BEST SECURITY PATENT J. W. 1883".
However, the mechanism of locking corresponds to the patent Warnant No 75740 going back to 1886.
Thus, "safety" probably refers to the foreign patents treating the rebounding hammer.
"ELG" without crown on the cylinder, i.e. manufactured before 1893.
Dirk
Many thanks to Dirk for the photos and technicals details.
Warnant J.
Interesting small frame Belgian revolver of J. Warnant patent, and accordingly marked on the left side of the barrel. The design represents early Belgian self-extracting revolvers. The style follows Webley Bulldog, except for extra long barrel. Hinged frame design was probably adapted from S&W. Single and double action. The maker initials, "PF" are stamped on the left side of the frame.
Photographs friendly authorized by "Collectiblefirearms"
