Old double barrel 12g shotgun - The Firearms Forum

TheGunClinger · 06-30-2010, 04:20 PM

I've had this old shotgun hanging on my wall for 30 years or so. I just realized that I dont know the first thing about it such as how old, where made, etc. There is some writing on top of the barrel but I cant make it out other than the first word which is Belgium. On the side plate it says Janssen & Sons & Co. I cant find anything about them. I just tried to upload pics but it wouldnt go. I'll try again. Ah! two at a time works better.

TheGunClinger · 07-02-2010, 06:39 PM

Any way to ascertain the date of the gun? I see this stamped all over the gun (pic). Seems if it is a 1953 model it is pretty beat up. I'm a 1952 model and I dont look quite as beat....well.... maybe I do.

kingcuke · 07-02-2010, 11:40 PM

It wasn't made in 1953, probably more like 1890 to early 1900's. A picture of the barrel marking wouldn't hurt. Someone on the forum will no doubt be able to tell you what all the proof marks mean. It is Belgian and probably not worth a great deal, but does make a cool wallhanger.

RJay · 07-03-2010, 12:07 AM

As was posted it is a Belgium shotgun, made by Janssen Fils and Cias ( Janssen and Sons & Co ). Under one name or the other this family was in the gun making business from 1865 until at least 1954. I agree on the date after 1888 untill 1911. After WWI outside hammer shotguns were no longer popular in the States. Every one wanted one of those new shotguns with internal hammers. Janssens Family was one of the better makers and made a quality shotgun, however value is still not super high. The prices on these old shotguns have gone up in recent years but I feel 150 to 200 would be tops, could be wrong, could be a little higher or lower.

TheGunClinger · 07-03-2010, 05:16 PM

Thanks guys! Value isnt important as it looks nice on the wall. It looks to be really old but in reality it is just pretty beat up, well used. Kingcuke... where would I see the barrel markings that you would like to see?
BTW, did you happen to see that little pistol hanging on the wall next to the 12g? It is an old Kilgore Invincible cap gun. Thing still works.

RJay · 07-03-2010, 10:23 PM

You've already shown all the proof marks which identifies the country and maker.

There is no way to pin the date down to a specific year , only an era.

06-30-2010, 04:20 PM	#1
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,399	Old double barrel 12g shotgun I've had this old shotgun hanging on my wall for 30 years or so. I just realized that I dont know the first thing about it such as how old, where made, etc. There is some writing on top of the barrel but I cant make it out other than the first word which is Belgium. On the side plate it says Janssen & Sons & Co. I cant find anything about them. I just tried to upload pics but it wouldnt go. I'll try again. Ah! two at a time works better. Attached Images __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year. -->

07-02-2010, 06:39 PM	#2
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,399	Re: Old double barrel 12g shotgun Any way to ascertain the date of the gun? I see this stamped all over the gun (pic). Seems if it is a 1953 model it is pretty beat up. I'm a 1952 model and I dont look quite as beat....well.... maybe I do. Attached Images __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

07-02-2010, 11:40 PM	#3
kingcuke V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cucumber Island Posts: 154	Re: Old double barrel 12g shotgun It wasn't made in 1953, probably more like 1890 to early 1900's. A picture of the barrel marking wouldn't hurt. Someone on the forum will no doubt be able to tell you what all the proof marks mean. It is Belgian and probably not worth a great deal, but does make a cool wallhanger. __________________ Giving every man a vote has no more made men wise and free than Christianity has made them good. H. L. Mencken It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen. George MacDonald

07-03-2010, 12:07 AM	#4
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,504	Re: Old double barrel 12g shotgun As was posted it is a Belgium shotgun, made by Janssen Fils and Cias ( Janssen and Sons & Co ). Under one name or the other this family was in the gun making business from 1865 until at least 1954. I agree on the date after 1888 untill 1911. After WWI outside hammer shotguns were no longer popular in the States. Every one wanted one of those new shotguns with internal hammers. Janssens Family was one of the better makers and made a quality shotgun, however value is still not super high. The prices on these old shotguns have gone up in recent years but I feel 150 to 200 would be tops, could be wrong, could be a little higher or lower. __________________ RonJames

07-03-2010, 05:16 PM	#5
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,399	Re: Old double barrel 12g shotgun Thanks guys! Value isnt important as it looks nice on the wall. It looks to be really old but in reality it is just pretty beat up, well used. Kingcuke... where would I see the barrel markings that you would like to see? BTW, did you happen to see that little pistol hanging on the wall next to the 12g? It is an old Kilgore Invincible cap gun. Thing still works. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

07-03-2010, 10:23 PM	#6
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,504	Re: Old double barrel 12g shotgun You've already shown all the proof marks which identifies the country and maker. There is no way to pin the date down to a specific year , only an era. __________________ RonJames