Indians For Guns

Hi guys i have a shotgun 12 bore atleast 100yrs old with me, it is a unique bolt action sporting rifle of ver light weight .I will try and attach a picture or contact if you know anything about it.

The markings in the top picture look like Belgian proof markings...

At least I can say the action is a Mauser Model 1871/84. Same with the octagonal chamber area.

The proofs look English.

Did you say 12 Bore?

It`s a 12-Bore Shotgun or a rifle - one or the other. Obviously it`s possible to be both but unlikely in a bolt-action of that age.

Bolt-action shotguns are hardly unique.....they are still made today.

Any chance of some better pictures ? The two supplied don`t exactly show very much of the gun.

You`ve seen some funny guns CC if you think those proof marks look English......Abhijeet`s right. they are Belgian and the final mark is specifically Liege.

You could be right about the action though CC.........Which reminds me that Mauser DID produce a bolt-action shotgun which is now quite sought-after in the USA. I`ll have to ask Mehul Kamdar because I remember him discussing them with me some time ago. He`s definitely the expert on that subject.

CC,

AFAIK, the "ELG" in an oval with a star beneath and a crown on top means that this shotgun has passed through the Belgian proofing tests and the "12C" in a diamond means that this shotgun is chambered for 12 gauge, with a choked barrel...

OK - to be honest that's the limit of my knowledge on this, found this out as I too have a Belgian made shotty with similar proof markings and had looked them up a while back...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

It definitly is English (my great grandpa called it the big Burmingham) also have the ammo of the same vintage rescued from the monster of the police koths.Tried and tested on IOC 6 shot can you evaluate the value

Thanks Abhijeet, for the info on proof marks. The crown looked very English till it occurred to me that Belgium also has a royalty and the corresponding crown...

Mismisra- perhaps this link will provide leads to more clues:

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collect ... irn=241669

Also, Im not too sure about the 1871, but it seems(Not entirely sure) after WWI restrictions were placed on the Germans from manufacturing military rifles. However, they could manufacture sporting rifles and shotguns. This prompted them to rebarrel and convert the M1898 Mauser rifle to a two shot shotgun. This shotgun was produced in, 12, 16, and 20 gauge.... but thats the Model1898... perhaps some 1871's also went this way...

regards,
CC

thanks abijeet

Hi the link was a great help attached alongwith is a link to burmingham rifled which is what it was thanks again

Blimey, in the time that it took to type the amendment to my earlier post...... and do a few other things FIVE more appeared.

Mismisra, that gun has nothing to do with Birmingham - no matter what your grandfather said. The only bolt action in regular production at the end of the 19th/Early 20th century was the Lee Metford/Lee Enfield. John Rigby had the exclusive import rights for Mauser actions and most other gunmakers had to `make do` with Mannlichers. This is definitely NOT an Enfield and the proof marks are definitely Belgian.

Grumpy";p="26909 wrote: You`ve seen some funny guns CC if you think those proof marks look English......Abhijeet`s right. they are Belgian and the final mark is specifically Liege.

I don't know anything about this action, but the converted 1898's basically had the front lugs ground away to make room for the shell. The locking was done by the top lug if I remember right.

These were made after ww1 I recall, as germany was prohibited from manufacturing military arms so there was a big scrabble to figure out what to build on the mauser actions.

Found one on gunbroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... m=78613976




Notice how much metal has been removed in order for the shell to fit:

Mark";p="26927 wrote:I don't know anything about this action, but the converted 1898's basically had the front lugs ground away to make room for the shell. The locking was done by the bolt.

These were made after ww1 I recall, as germany was prohibited from manufacturing military arms so there was a big scrabble to figure out what to build on the mauser actions.

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the info on the grinding away of 1898 bolt heads. Fun to learn new things every day.

In the case of this gun, I'm getting somewhat sure that its a converted 1871. The action is unmistakable.

Regards,
CC

Here's a generic Mauser 1871 Action. Apparently the shotgun modification had the bolt bent down as well.