Old European Side By Need Help

COWCHIT · February 1, 2005, 05:58 PM

12 Ga. Hammerless Very Highly Engraved, Wonderful Wood. Only Markings Are Under The Fore Stock.
One Barrell Is (acier Comprime St Etienne 18.4)
Other Barrell (canon Fancet St Etienne 18.4) 327 In Center Double Trigger Very Ornate In Pristine Condition Has A Crown Mark With Pt Underneath I Would To Know The Make And The Age If Anyone Can Help.

Harley Nolden · February 2, 2005, 04:42 AM

From what I can gather it is French or Belgium made. Acier is French for Steel and cannon barrell.

fal308 · February 2, 2005, 09:52 AM

St Etienne was one of the major Frecnh arms centers.
The crown with PT underneath is for barrels proofed with semi-smokeless T powder at St Etienne. Introduced after 1900. If the PT actually looks like this (P.T.) it is a provisional proof and not a final proof.
As to the maker, it appears to be someone called Fancet. I can find no references to this firm though. Acier Comprime refers to the steel used in the barrels. There should be other markings on the barrels also as all guns that pass proof are also marked with the weight of the barrel, the length of the barrel in mm, the above-mentioned factory mark, the caliber or gauge and the length of the chamber. Only the proof house at St. Etienne uses the mark "Normal" and this is used if all of the above barrel and chamber information is within normal limits.

Information from The Standard Directory of Proof Marks

COWCHIT · February 2, 2005, 10:32 AM

Thanks That Is A Ton More Than I Had Prior. I Will Keep Going Over The Gun. Is There Anyplace I Could Take It To Find Out More

James K · February 17, 2005, 10:35 PM

Acier complime means "compressed steel", but I have no idea what that means in terms of barrel making. It could mean forged, but I can't find anywhere that translates it that way.

18.4mm is the metric way of saying 12 gauge, which you already knew.

Jim

February 1, 2005, 05:58 PM	#1
COWCHIT Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: OKLA Posts: 2	Old European Side By Need Help 12 Ga. Hammerless Very Highly Engraved, Wonderful Wood. Only Markings Are Under The Fore Stock. One Barrell Is (acier Comprime St Etienne 18.4) Other Barrell (canon Fancet St Etienne 18.4) 327 In Center Double Trigger Very Ornate In Pristine Condition Has A Crown Mark With Pt Underneath I Would To Know The Make And The Age If Anyone Can Help.

February 2, 2005, 09:52 AM	#3
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	St Etienne was one of the major Frecnh arms centers. The crown with PT underneath is for barrels proofed with semi-smokeless T powder at St Etienne. Introduced after 1900. If the PT actually looks like this (P.T.) it is a provisional proof and not a final proof. As to the maker, it appears to be someone called Fancet. I can find no references to this firm though. Acier Comprime refers to the steel used in the barrels. There should be other markings on the barrels also as all guns that pass proof are also marked with the weight of the barrel, the length of the barrel in mm, the above-mentioned factory mark, the caliber or gauge and the length of the chamber. Only the proof house at St. Etienne uses the mark "Normal" and this is used if all of the above barrel and chamber information is within normal limits. Information from The Standard Directory of Proof Marks

February 2, 2005, 10:32 AM	#4
COWCHIT Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: OKLA Posts: 2	Thanks That Is A Ton More Than I Had Prior. I Will Keep Going Over The Gun. Is There Anyplace I Could Take It To Find Out More

February 17, 2005, 10:35 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Acier complime means "compressed steel", but I have no idea what that means in terms of barrel making. It could mean forged, but I can't find anywhere that translates it that way. 18.4mm is the metric way of saying 12 gauge, which you already knew. Jim