Brian Gibbons
New member
I was hoping someone could tell me more about an old shot gun I had recently purchased. It is a side by side 12 gauge break action with internal hammers, a four digit serial number, and a barrel length of 30 & 1/8 inches. The gun's overall length is 46 & 3/4 inches and it is very "plain Jane". There is only a slight bit of engraving around the barrel breechs. Some of the machining looks crude and all the proof marks are Belgian, but there is nothing to indicate a manufacturer. I understand that there where many different types of "no-name" Belgian shot guns made and that this might be one of those "hardware" guns. I am thinking that perhaps Fabrique National produced cheap guns that were sold through retail stores without a manufacturer's stamp so that the poor workmanship didn't reflect back on the FN name. I have learned that it was designed to fire 2 & 1/2 inch shot shell but I am thinking of shooting the more readily available 2 & 3/4 inch shells with a light trap load. (I have already carried out some test shots, remotely fired, with no problems encountered). Can you tell me any thing else about these unidentifiable Belgian shot guns ? Thanks ...