Royal Arms Works Side by Side - The Firearms Forum

john1958 · 04-11-2003, 04:45 AM

Thanks!
I sent him the answer.

Next question: Do you know anything about Royal Arms Works (Belgian) side-by-sides with exposed hammers? If so, I'll post info and pics.

CountryGunsmith · 04-12-2003, 03:52 PM

I've been known to have a bit of information here and there on old shotguns...

Post away.

john1958 · 04-13-2003, 02:36 PM

OK, here goes!

It's .12 gauge marked: JL 1812 LAMINATED STEEL BELGIUM (barrels?). Under the handguard is a JL under a star. Also under there is a 1 and a 3 in different spots. The bore is rust pitted in places, especially nearer the breech. The buttpad is plastic (post WWII replacement?). Everything seems to work, even though I have not shot it. The owner has, though. Somebody has slapped some varnish on it, but that's neither here nor there, I suppose.

We need to know a possible time frame it was made, and any Collector value and resale value. BTW, the info you gave me on the RRB was satisfactory to the owner.

Thanks again in advance! John

john1958 · 04-13-2003, 02:37 PM

Another view

CountryGunsmith · 04-14-2003, 07:20 AM

That gun is a typical late 19th century Belgian import. Literally millions of them by various makers, but of the same basic pattern, were imported into the US to satisfy the demand of the growing frontier. We see them being imported well into the early 20th century, even up through the Great Depression.

There is no collector interest in these, and their value is based solely on what someone will pay for a mantle decoration (usually tops out at $200).

A very important caveat: these guns are absolutely NOT safe to shoot with any form of modern ammunition. Even if tight-as-new, these guns were not designed to handle the pressure curve of even 'low-brass' modern shells. I realize that some intrepid souls do shoot their old Belgian laminated-steel doubles with careful handloaded black-powder shells but I would not recommend even that.

john1958 · 04-14-2003, 11:17 AM

Again, thanks! I'll relay this info forthright.

Until the next question, take care. John

wonderwhippet · 04-14-2003, 01:34 PM

While such a wallhanger in pristine condition could possibly sell for $200, an average specimen in so so condition usually changes hands for about $75 or so.

04-11-2003, 04:45 AM	#1
john1958 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West-Central Indiana Posts: 21	Thanks! I sent him the answer. Next question: Do you know anything about Royal Arms Works (Belgian) side-by-sides with exposed hammers? If so, I'll post info and pics. __________________ Waffenmeister -->

04-12-2003, 03:52 PM	#2
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	I've been known to have a bit of information here and there on old shotguns... Post away. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

04-13-2003, 02:36 PM	#3
john1958 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West-Central Indiana Posts: 21	Royal Arms Works (Belgium) Shotgun OK, here goes! It's .12 gauge marked: JL 1812 LAMINATED STEEL BELGIUM (barrels?). Under the handguard is a JL under a star. Also under there is a 1 and a 3 in different spots. The bore is rust pitted in places, especially nearer the breech. The buttpad is plastic (post WWII replacement?). Everything seems to work, even though I have not shot it. The owner has, though. Somebody has slapped some varnish on it, but that's neither here nor there, I suppose. We need to know a possible time frame it was made, and any Collector value and resale value. BTW, the info you gave me on the RRB was satisfactory to the owner. Thanks again in advance! John Attached Images __________________ Waffenmeister

04-13-2003, 02:37 PM	#4
john1958 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West-Central Indiana Posts: 21	Another view Another view Attached Images __________________ Waffenmeister

04-14-2003, 07:20 AM	#5
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	That gun is a typical late 19th century Belgian import. Literally millions of them by various makers, but of the same basic pattern, were imported into the US to satisfy the demand of the growing frontier. We see them being imported well into the early 20th century, even up through the Great Depression. There is no collector interest in these, and their value is based solely on what someone will pay for a mantle decoration (usually tops out at $200). A very important caveat: these guns are absolutely NOT safe to shoot with any form of modern ammunition. Even if tight-as-new, these guns were not designed to handle the pressure curve of even 'low-brass' modern shells. I realize that some intrepid souls do shoot their old Belgian laminated-steel doubles with careful handloaded black-powder shells but I would not recommend even that. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

04-14-2003, 11:17 AM	#6
john1958 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West-Central Indiana Posts: 21	Again, thanks! I'll relay this info forthright. Until the next question, take care. John __________________ Waffenmeister

04-14-2003, 01:34 PM	#7
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,586	While such a wallhanger in pristine condition could possibly sell for $200, an average specimen in so so condition usually changes hands for about $75 or so.