Sept. 26 is my Birthday. On my 16th. BD , my Dad surprised me with a Double Barrel .410 , folding Belgium shotgun. I turned 71 yesterday. Thinking of MEE DAD. P.S.-I still have it. lol
I had an identical one of these in South Africa and fired many 410 rounds for fun, even though the gun was a bit worn. It was handmade (originally dirt cheap, probably made by very poor workers in Belgium) evident from the slightly uneven filing on the barrel. Called a poacher's gun it could be slipped up the sleeve of a long coat by holding the butt in the hand and totally concealed. When I left SA I could not sell it and it was broken up as part of a gun amnesty, which saddened me as mine also had a history long before I had it.
I've seen some in 6mm flobert/.22court. wich would translate to .22cb/bb, .22 short. Should have bought it when it was offered to me. They were made, but... The main markets for these folding guns do not allow having a rimfire without licensing anymore. So if they are still out there, they are hidden in Belgium France and the UK. People who do have a license probably had it scrapped long time ago, in most European countries you can have a x amount of guns on your license. So it doesnt make sence to keep old stuff when newer and better stuff is available. We Europeans have and still scrap guns wich are considered holy Grail in the USA, but we do import old and antique American guns to collect. We scrap and destroy ww2 numbers matching rifles, pre ww2 pocket pistols and revolvers, even the big names from the time. Why keep an old one of you cant keep up to the standards of today. Sad bit the truth.
that is a very nice looking 410.. never seen anything like it before, as far as the simple yet style it has, deff. an era in firearms where even the most simple had their own character unlike today, very nice
Markings are Belgian. The chamber was either for two or two and one half inch shells, Eley still makes 2" .410 shells. These were very low cost field guns though and like this one, most were well used. best to hang it on a wall. A rustic country resteraunt might welcome it as a wall decoration, better retirement than scrap!
Until now guns have always brought me happiness..... i didn't know it was possible to feel sad for a gun.....nice vid..... they way you described it makes me feel like we are burying a family member... :(
that last bit genuinely made me sad, that gun would be hanging on the wall of my house forever, same with my guns, if im still alive so are my guns regardless of what they have been through
That shotgun was made by Verrees & Co, Liège, Belgium. My father has the same one...he still uses it. It is in excellent shape. Take a 2" shell. It was given to him by my grandfather. He originally purchased it from a hardware store for $13.00. It was on sale because the front bead was offset. It was repaired immidiately from my understanding, and was put to good use. I enjoyed your video, and a shame to see this shotgun taken out of commission.
ive had two of those and they are a awsom shotgun the last one i had had the thrupenny bit shaped barral, more than 20 years ago now , wish i still had em,, thanks for sharing, ATB john
I just inherited the same gun from my father. I believe mine is operable but missing a few parts. I realize this was posted a few years back. I don't know if you'd be willing to sell me any off of yours but I figured I'd ask. I am in the US. The main thing I need is the button assembly for the folding mechanism. And my stock has a split in it.
very neat old gun...... A worn Bore sure is a bummer. a good machinist could fabricate most parts but a bad bore..... Clean it well and keep it for Nostalgia.
How binn ya mar mate. Noticed ur accent is the same as myn. I have exactly the same old gun myn has a 25" barrel and it's covered in Marks and age but is solid and I shoot it regular. It belonged to an old local farmer who was a pal of my close friends granpar. Tons of history and a great little folder I use 2"shortys in myn and it does pigion rats and the odd pheasant a treat
I might be sentimental, but a video like this makes me sad. Of course, at the end of the day, guns and shotguns in particular in a farmer's view are just tools to bring food to the table or are used for pest control. But if it were my gun, I'd have it properly and legally deactivated and hang it on my wall. As tantalizing as being part of a Harley Davidson might be, I'd rather have this gun hanging on a a wall in a nice countryside home.
i have a bolt action webley 410 its so worn when i fire it makes a hole in the side of cartridge! so its gotta be chopped up but i want one of these for poaching!
Hell have a blacksmith forge you a new barrel and bring that beauty back to life !!!! It can be done don't say it can't unless you want to just hang it over fireplace mantle !!!
All things come to an end but that would grace any wall of a gun enthusiast if it was mine it would be on show. I don't know how much it is to deactivate but it's going to cost to scrap it legally legally anyway, just a thought for a shotgun with much character and history
I actually have one of these that may be a shooter. Someone hacked off the stock though. If you still have your I may be able to put together a nice old shooter and the old 410 can live on. I have had mine for over 30 years and this is the first time I have ever seen another. I know this is an old post but if you get this and contact me it would be great. Thanks, Tim
Still use mine belgian made with a skeleton stock. only 2inch chamber so getting cartridges isnt that easy. barrel is in good nick. and i would never part with it.
