12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium

[Belgian collector]

Greetings / Namaste / Salaam
I am from Europe and l collect Belgian shotguns . On a recent business trip to India , l saw a 12 bore side by side shotgun with 3 inch chambers , 32 inch barrels and extractors . Marked on the gun was nothing , except the words " 12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " .
I was wondering if any of you gentlemen knew about a gun with such markings . In my life time of collecting Belgian firearms , l never saw one which used the word " DBBL " . I asked around and found out that the word DBBL is used in India . So l found this forum .
Has any one here ever seen any shotguns in India marked " 12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " ?
My colleagues think that it is not an actual Belgian gun , but could be a fake .
Regards,
Belgian Collector

[Vikram]

Welcome to IFG!

Did you take photos of the gun by any chance? Did you manage to have a look at the proof marks?

It may not be a fake but they could have stamped, "12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " on it. Though there are fakes around, 3" chambers and 32" barrels suggest that it could well have been made in Belgium.

[Belgian collector]

Thank you for welcoming me , Mr. Vikram. I did not take a picture of it , unfortunately . I held it for 10 minutes in the house of a business associate . However , what you say makes a good deal of sense . It is then , an original Belgian shotgun ( probably ) which just had " 12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " stamped on it . I have a question . Is it common for Indian gun shop's to stamp such things on shotgun barrels ? Please forgive me for my ignorance , as l am a foreigner and l merely ask to learn more .

[Belgian collector]

I have another question . Is it possible that an Indian dealer could take an actual Belgian gun and stamp " 12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " on it ? . Or is there no possibility of them doing this to an actual Belgian gun?

[Vineet]

I have another question . Is it possible that an Indian dealer could take an actual Belgian gun and stamp " 12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " on it ? . Or is there no possibility of them doing this to an actual Belgian gun?

This is possible. Many arms dealers used to stamp their firm's name on weapons when they imported them along with some other details.

[Belgian collector]

Thank you , Mr. Vineet . So it is in all likelihood an original Belgian shotgun with 3 inch chambers and 32 inch barrels , which was just stamped " 12 bore DBBL Made In Belgium" . I appreciate your time and help.

[Vikram]

Thank you for welcoming me , Mr. Vikram. I did not take a picture of it , unfortunately . I held it for 10 minutes in the house of a business associate . However , what you say makes a good deal of sense . It is then , an original Belgian shotgun ( probably ) which just had " 12 Bore DBBL Made In Belgium " stamped on it . I have a question . Is it common for Indian gun shop's to stamp such things on shotgun barrels ? Please forgive me for my ignorance , as l am a foreigner and l merely ask to learn more .

As Vineet said that was not an uncommon practice. I have come across several Belgian guns though I do not remember having seen markings like the ones you mentioned.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.

[mundaire]

A photo of the proof marks on the barrel flats/ table of the action would help immensely.