Please help Identify this old double barrel shotgun

[A34]

11/5/25 - updated with markings from barrel further down the thread. Appears to be a Belgian produced shogun post 1853. I could find anything else online about the markings. If someone knows, please chime in.

Hey Gents,

Picked this up at auction, and can't find info on line. Looks like manufacturer was P Rourron out of New Orleans if I'm reading it right. It has some nice engraving. It's a 12 Gauge and someone has shortened the barrels. No idea how long they were originally. They didn't bother to install a bead sight but it's so short, probably doesn't matter anyway. I would appreciate any info on the company and the shotgun. I have not pulled it apart yet, just took some pics in as received condition.

Thanks!

 

[chupacabra]

i asked chatgpt exactly the same thing you posted:


This is a 19th-century percussion (cap-lock) double-barrel shotgun, very likely Belgian-built and retailed in New Orleans under the name marked on the lockplate — which looks to read “P. Rourron” (or very similar).

✅ What it is

• Side-by-side percussion shotgun
• External hammers
• Double triggers
• Fine scroll engraving
• Checkered walnut stock
• Likely originally full-length black-powder damascus barrels
• 12-gauge (many of these were actually 14 or 16ga — measurement will tell)

This style was common circa 1845–1865, before centerfire cartridges became standard.

🏛️ About the Marking “P. Rourron”

There is no known U.S. gunmaker by that name, but New Orleans in the mid-1800s had many European immigrant gunsmiths and gun dealers who stamped/imported trade guns. Names sometimes appear in period city directories.

This is almost certainly an importer/dealer stamp, not the manufacturer.

Belgium (Liège) produced large numbers of shotguns for the U.S. — engraved, with retailer names. The engraving style and lock-plate shape are strongly Belgian-English pattern.

🔎 Why Belgian?
Common tell-tales:

• Scroll-engraved hammer and lock panel style
• Trigger guard and tang design
• Period trade gun features
• New Orleans was a major import hub for Belgian arms pre-Civil-War

If you remove the barrels, look on the underside flats for:

• ELG in oval (Liège proof)
• Crown marks
• Gauge marks (e.g., 12-C for 12 bore)

Those will confirm origin.


📏 Barrel Condition


Your barrels have been heavily cut down — they should be ~28–32 inches originally. The missing front sight confirms this was chopped.


⚠️ Safety note


Do not fire this gun without expert evaluation. These are black-powder damascus barrels, and being cut short adds risk. Even if it was originally safe, age + unknown internal condition = wall-hanger until inspected.

💰 Value

Since barrels are cut:

• Collector value is reduced
• Usually $200–$450 as a decorative antique
• If it had full original barrels: often $600–$1,200+ depending on engraving and condition

Still a nice looking example of a mid-19th-century Southern-market percussion shotgun.

🧾 Next Step (identification confirmation)

If you want, pull the barrels and post a photo of the proof marks — that will confirm maker origin and approximate

Old retailer names are often hand-engraved and vary slightly.

 

[A34]

i asked chatgpt exactly the same thing you posted:


This is a 19th-century percussion (cap-lock) double-barrel shotgun, very likely Belgian-built and retailed in New Orleans under the name marked on the lockplate — which looks to read “P. Rourron” (or very similar).

✅ What it is

• Side-by-side percussion shotgun
• External hammers
• Double triggers
• Fine scroll engraving
• Checkered walnut stock
• Likely originally full-length black-powder damascus barrels
• 12-gauge (many of these were actually 14 or 16ga — measurement will tell)

This style was common circa 1845–1865, before centerfire cartridges became standard.

🏛️ About the Marking “P. Rourron”

There is no known U.S. gunmaker by that name, but New Orleans in the mid-1800s had many European immigrant gunsmiths and gun dealers who stamped/imported trade guns. Names sometimes appear in period city directories.

This is almost certainly an importer/dealer stamp, not the manufacturer.

Belgium (Liège) produced large numbers of shotguns for the U.S. — engraved, with retailer names. The engraving style and lock-plate shape are strongly Belgian-English pattern.

🔎 Why Belgian?
Common tell-tales:

• Scroll-engraved hammer and lock panel style
• Trigger guard and tang design
• Period trade gun features
• New Orleans was a major import hub for Belgian arms pre-Civil-War

If you remove the barrels, look on the underside flats for:

• ELG in oval (Liège proof)
• Crown marks
• Gauge marks (e.g., 12-C for 12 bore)

Those will confirm origin.


📏 Barrel Condition


Your barrels have been heavily cut down — they should be ~28–32 inches originally. The missing front sight confirms this was chopped.


⚠️ Safety note


Do not fire this gun without expert evaluation. These are black-powder damascus barrels, and being cut short adds risk. Even if it was originally safe, age + unknown internal condition = wall-hanger until inspected.

💰 Value

Since barrels are cut:

• Collector value is reduced
• Usually $200–$450 as a decorative antique
• If it had full original barrels: often $600–$1,200+ depending on engraving and condition

Still a nice looking example of a mid-19th-century Southern-market percussion shotgun.

🧾 Next Step (identification confirmation)

If you want, pull the barrels and post a photo of the proof marks — that will confirm maker origin and approximate

Old retailer names are often hand-engraved and vary slightly.

Thanks! I did not think to check Chatgpt. Howver, this is not a percussion shotgun. It is an early cartridge shotgun. I'll take it apart and check for other markings.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

ChatGPT gets it wrong again!

I've got a similar gun that I've been asking about for a few days when I identify the actual maker probably in Belgium from the early 1900s. I'll post up that info in that different thread from last week.

 

[chupacabra]

ChatGPT gets it wrong again!

I've got a similar gun that I've been asking about for a few days when I identify the actual maker probably in Belgium from the early 1900s. I'll post up that info in that different thread from last week.

the more info you provide the better the answer. chatgpt clearly says it makes mistakes (dont you). but at least it works as a start 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[thevalueman]

the more info you provide the better the answer. chatgpt clearly says it makes mistakes (dont you). but at least it works as a start 🤦🏻‍♂️

garbage in....garbage out.......

 

[A34]

Uploaded markings under barrel. I'm having trouble getting it back together. I tried just reversing the disassembly but the barrel doesn't fit into the receiver flush. Suggestions?