Guns Of The Belgian Congo

[VertigoBE]

My Belgian Guild .500NE

This one likely saw some action after WWII in Africa. If it only it could tell its story!

 

[VertigoBE]

Dumoulin Centurion in 7x64

 

[grand veneur]

I once came into contact with the Dumoulin company when I bought a DR caliber 600 Nitro Express. The rifle in very mediocre condition was sold to me as being made by Dumoulin. I called the Dumoulin company by phone to describe my purchase, unfortunately the company told me that they had never built a DR caliber 600 Nitro Express. Ultimately, after inspecting the proof marks and other markings, it was confirmed that the DR was built in 1926 by Auguste Francotte. The rifle is currently being repaired due to a broken top lever spring and is also undergoing restoration.

A broken top lever spring of a Belgian double rifle that surely was , due its condition, used in Congo.

 

[VertigoBE]

I once came into contact with the Dumoulin company when I bought a DR caliber 600 Nitro Express. The rifle in very mediocre condition was sold to me as being made by Dumoulin. I called the Dumoulin company by phone to describe my purchase, unfortunately the company told me that they had never built a DR caliber 600 Nitro Express. Ultimately, after inspecting the proof marks and other markings, it was confirmed that the DR was built in 1926 by Auguste Francotte. The rifle is currently being repaired due to a broken top lever spring and is also undergoing restoration.

A broken top lever spring of a Belgian double rifle that surely was , due its condition, used in Congo.
View attachment 698608

I assume that hearing it was from Francotte instead of Dumoulin was the cherry on the cake

 

[Happy Myles]

When did you purchase this fine beauty ?

Hunter-Habib i am embarrassed to write that i cannot remember when i purchased my 470 Nitro crafted by LeBeau - Courally. Sometime in the 1980s I believe. It is a fine accurate rifle

 

[steve white]

I own a LeBeau Curally in 470 Nitro Express that has worked fine for me. It is a fine crafted accurate rife. When I bought it 40 Nitro Express was about the only ammo you could find for the big caliber rifles and not much of that was available. A good rifle.

LeBeau Courally is absolutely top notch--they can build at any level you can afford.

 

[PerH]

How many of the Belgian makers with exception of FN is left now?

 

[VertigoBE]

How many of the Belgian makers with exception of FN is left now?

Only small makers are left now. Here are a few:
Pletsers
Paul Pletsers
Parthoens
Alexandre Hanssen

From the few I know, I would gather there are maybe 20 small gunmakers left in Belgium.

 

[mark-hunter]

From the few I know, I would gather there are maybe 20 small gunmakers left in Belgium.

Does any of them produce Mauser 98 hunting rifles? Especially in magnum length action? If yes, what would be the price?

 

[VertigoBE]

Does any of them produce Mauser 98 hunting rifles? Especially in magnum length action? If yes, what would be the price?

There are indeed some. Depending on options they would start as of 15-20KEUR

Some examples: https://paulpletsers.be/collections/armes-de-luxe/products/paul-pletsers-cal-416rigby-3655

Armurerie Alexandre Hanssen - Occasion arme de chasse Hanssen à verrou

Occasion arme de chasse Hanssen à verrou - Armurerie Alexandre Hanssen à Bonnerue - Houffalize (Ardennes - Belgique)

www.armureriehanssen.be

The main issue for them is to find magnum Mauser actions, as Rigby is sweeping the market.

 

[VertigoBE]

This is a reasonably priced 300WM, for a hand built rifle:

Paul Pletsers Cal. 300WM - 4778

- Marque: Paul Pletsers - Modèle: Mauser 98 - Calibre: .300 Win Mag - Référence: 4778 Arme neuve; Carabine à verrou type Mauser Fabrication Paul Pletsers fab. d'Armes Fines en calibre .300 Win Mag, mécanisme Mayfair England, canon de 650 mm Lothar Walther, réalisation grand luxe complètement...

paulpletsers.be

 

[AN.87]

There is also a 300WM available in second-hand for a lower price.... relatively speaking. (Objectively, it will have to be negotiated for a more correct price.) maker not listed, so will not be a known brand. Store near brussels.
I was there recently and it came to mind.
https://www.armurerie-collard.be/nl/type/karabijnen/

 

[VertigoBE]

There is also a 300WM available in second-hand for a lower price.... relatively speaking. (Objectively, it will have to be negotiated for a more correct price.) maker not listed, so will not be a known brand. Store near brussels.
I was there recently and it came to mind.
https://www.armurerie-collard.be/nl/type/karabijnen/

Second hand there are a ton of nice guns and rifles available, however usually still at a too optimistic price.

 

[Nyati]

Great article @Hunter-Habib !

I have owned three belgian handguns, top notch quality !

 

[ftrovato]

I own 1 Belgium rifle.

The double on the left is a Raick Erigis Belgium Double Rifle in 470 Nitro Express from the golden era of gun making Traditional English Styled Rifle Boxlock with Greener Cross Bolt, & Automatic Ejectors.

A pleasure to carry, shoot and very accurate too.

 

[John Telford]

Pics?

I sold it a few years ago.
Ironically, it was just two digits away from the 9.3X62 which I still have.
I also had a pre war 416 Rigby by Mahillon that was built on a magnum length square bridge action.
What a great rifle that was!