QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I inherited a gun and am looking for information regarding its value. The gun has areas that are extremely ornate with etched with flowers and looks like leaf patterns. It is a I think my dad called it an over and under (it has two barrels) shotgun. The only markings on the gun say "ORY & DUQUENNE-LiEGE". The end of the stock says, "SHAW'S ANAHEIM, CALIF. Then a small circle with a capital letter "R" in the middle. Around the letter R it says White Line Pad By PACHMAYR U.S.A. Those are the only markings I can find. Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you for your help! Teresa
ANSWER: Hello Teresa. Good news and Bad news. First,the good news. The shotgun you have (or a similar model) I found listed at www.doublegunshop.com . It is listed there at over $3,000.00. The bad news is that the Pachmayr rubber pad has been added and this generally means the original stock has been cut off and the original butt plate is missing. Not positive, but most likely. Since I was not able to find any other information on this shotgun, I would recommend that you contact a firearms appraiser (not a pawn shop)and have it checked over for a more accurate value. I know of one publication that may contain information on your shotgun. It is 'The Breechloading Shotgun' and I believe it is in Volume 2. There are 3 Volumes that deal with histories of shotguns A-Z from mid-1800's to 1940's. As a contact for an appraisal, I receive auction catalogues from ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY. You can contact them at www.rockislandauction.com or call them at (309) 797-1500 or 800-238-8022 in Moline,IL. If they don't do appraisals, perhaps they can direct you to someone who does.
I really believe you have something and encourage you to follow up on my suggestions. I hope this information will answer some of your questions and I do thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Charles, Thank-you for all the information.
After I sent you the e-mail I made a discovery. I found that the, I guess you call it the, forend or forearm came off. It had a # 27956, maybe a serial #. Also there is written on the gun, A sideways 8 followed by, the best I could make out, CANON DEMI BLOC-HCIERTELE-D followed by the sideways 8 Then a stamp that looks like a crown of sorts and under that the letter D. It also says CHOKE 18.3. I wonder if that sheds any more light? If not I appreciate the previous information and the leads you sent. Thanks again, Teresa
d
AnswerHello Teresa. The only thing I could find on this information was the meaning of the term CANON DEMI BLOC. It seems to me that certain very expensive firearms (double-barrel shotguns and rifles) were manufactured in several stages and different parts may have been built in different plants. The DEMI BLOC was manufactured from a single block of steel with all shaping, drilling and machining done by one company then sold and shipped to another factory that manufactured the barrels. The barrels were then set into the block separately and after were connected by welding them together to form a double-barrel. Most double-barrel shotguns are manufactured by welding the two barrels together and then welding the attaching block to the underside of them. This has been found to be adequate for most firearm manufacturers to pass safety tests. These with the DEMI BLOC were (and still are) manufactured to withstand great chamber pressures such as in many African Safari firearms shooting huge ammunition in excess of one-half inch diameter. You have got my curiosity so peaked that you must send a photo to my e-mail,
[email protected] . Thank you again for asking for me to answer your questions. Charles Gage
