The Alaskan
member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2015
- Messages
- 477
So my neighbor got wind of e going to the range this past weekend and asked if I would give him a refresher course on gun cleaning for a couple shotguns he had. What be brought over was a Winchester Model 1912 (NOT a Model 12, though I know they're the same gun) take down built in 1914 in an original canvas case with leather trim and straps, and a Model 94 in 25-35 built in 1909. Awesome. But the other gun I'd never heard of before. A French made side by side 12 gauge shotgun with some engraving on the receiver and on the lock that holds the forearm in place.
It's marked Fusil Robust Brevet, and calibre 12 Normal. It's obviously French, but that's all I know about it. I found some other references online (not much) that suggest they were made sometime in the 20th century, possibly at the St. Etienne Armory. That's about it.
Given that it's from the same original owner (my neighbor's grandfather) and the other two guns are early 20th century, and in about the same condition (probably 10% blueing or less but the wood on both guns is great and not a spot of rust with immaculate bores or rifling), I'm willing to guess this gun is also early twentieth century, but does anyone know anyway to pin down a manufacture date, at least with a few years?
Only the lever gun actually needed cleaning, but we coated them all in Barricade. I gave him the usual warning about no steel shot and told him I would probably have to hand load ammo for the lever gun, IF I could even find brass. He's not really a shooter, so I don't think it will be an issue.
It's marked Fusil Robust Brevet, and calibre 12 Normal. It's obviously French, but that's all I know about it. I found some other references online (not much) that suggest they were made sometime in the 20th century, possibly at the St. Etienne Armory. That's about it.
Given that it's from the same original owner (my neighbor's grandfather) and the other two guns are early 20th century, and in about the same condition (probably 10% blueing or less but the wood on both guns is great and not a spot of rust with immaculate bores or rifling), I'm willing to guess this gun is also early twentieth century, but does anyone know anyway to pin down a manufacture date, at least with a few years?
Only the lever gun actually needed cleaning, but we coated them all in Barricade. I gave him the usual warning about no steel shot and told him I would probably have to hand load ammo for the lever gun, IF I could even find brass. He's not really a shooter, so I don't think it will be an issue.