Belgian double hammer 12 guage
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bunkysdad
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Belgian double hammer 12 guage
Here is one that I got that perhaps a few here on the board may like. I know you have some similar guns Jim. It is a Dresse Laloux double with Damascus barrels. Technically I think that it incorrect as they are twist steel barrels. I have never had one of these, and I have read that these can be fired if the right precautions and shells are used, but I don't plan to find out. The hammers don't match and I imagine that somewhere along the way in it's century old lifetime had one changed, but who knows? I sprayed it down with RemOil and a tshirt rundown and took pictures.
Re: Belgian double hammer 12 guage
The problem with firing these is that they were originally used with BP shells, and the BP residue gets into the microscopic fissures in the welded wire barrels. This corrosive residue has been working on it for the last 100 years and failure is quite possible. I have seen these fired with low pressure BP loads, but I would not do it. I think you have the right of it ,making it a neat wallhanger.
“Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, English novelist, essayist, and critic, 1903-1950
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Belgian double hammer 12 guage
Very cool Russell, I have a well known weakness for double hammer guns 
I have several in this style, they were good working guns in their day, but I would not fire one today even with Bubba behind the trigger. These are laminated steel barrels, Damascus, twist steel, it's all the same meaning. hidden corrosion can begin between the layers that seriously weaken the barrel, and bursting can, and has happened. These were never intended for smokeless powder loads, and today should be retired to the wall. The only Belgian double I have with steel barrels is the 16 gauge recent acquisition, it's a mid 1920's production piece, and by then laminate steel was out fashion, as was BP loads.
I have several in this style, they were good working guns in their day, but I would not fire one today even with Bubba behind the trigger. These are laminated steel barrels, Damascus, twist steel, it's all the same meaning. hidden corrosion can begin between the layers that seriously weaken the barrel, and bursting can, and has happened. These were never intended for smokeless powder loads, and today should be retired to the wall. The only Belgian double I have with steel barrels is the 16 gauge recent acquisition, it's a mid 1920's production piece, and by then laminate steel was out fashion, as was BP loads.Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
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Rongo
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Re: Belgian double hammer 12 guage
Shoot them or not... They still look great on the wall. Very Nice!!!!! 
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"Dang that entropy"
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bunkysdad
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Re: Belgian double hammer 12 guage
They sure feel good to hold don't they. I think might having a decent side by side to shoot Skeet with. I wonder if you can find them with double Skeet choke barrels? Maybe Stoeger? The coach guns are the only ones I have looked at.