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
Rongé Jean Baptiste
Here is a handsome
little RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) type revolver, based on the design
introduced by the British firm Webley in the 1860s. Among the multitude of its
counterparts of Liège origin, this example, while classic, displays a fine level
of quality: frame and cylinder engraved with scrollwork, butt cap ring, cylinder
fluted with ovals, grips made of a fine material (probably ivory), nickel
plating in good condition. The caliber is not specified, but the dimensions of
the weapon suggest the classic .320 or .380 black powder.
Markings:
4801 (frame) and
23 (rear of cylinder): serial number and assembly guide.
Crowned R: proof
mark for rifled handguns, from January 30, 1894, to February 26, 1968.
M under a star:
proof mark from January 27, 1877.
ELG on a crowned
oval star: proof house mark after 1893.
Initials JBR under
a crown: this is the mark of the manufacturer Jean-Baptiste Rongé, registered
with the Liège proof house from 1832 to 1929. The company was reportedly founded
in 1789, and its products are well documented on the website.
On the left side
of the frame, two markings are more enigmatic:
P under a crown:
unidentified. Could this be a proof mark in use from December 30, 1853, to
January 26, 1877? If so, is it an error or a remnant of a previous inspection
prior to the one marked with the M under a star?
Initials JMR,
unknown to date: subcontractor, partner, member of the Rongé family?
In conclusion,
this attractive RIC revolver was signed by the manufacturer Jean-Baptiste Rongé.
It bears the complete set of Liège proof marks dating from after 1894. Two
uncertainties remain, however: the initials JMR are unidentified. Furthermore, a
P under a crown could be that of an inspector prior to 1877, which contradicts
the other markings. It is true that this type of revolver was outdated at the
approach of the 20th century, whereas production in the mid-1870s would place it
at the height of the popularity of these models. Therefore, we cannot rule out
the possibility of production by Jean-Baptiste Rongé before 1877, with the
weapon being reproofed after 1894.
Chris,
