Help Identifying One More

[hart6314]

Thanks again for the assistance on the Bischop rifle. I have one more puzzler. This is a rolling block action pistol in an unmarked 9mm CF cartridge. I have not done a cast, but 38 S&W seems to be a perfect fit. Serial number is 25288, so whoever made it must have done a number of firearms. No proof marks. Unfortunately, refinishing has partially removed markings. "JL" and "F.T" on bottom barrel flat, "GMAR???" and "DM" on lower left flat. Nothing on upper flats and no sign of anything having been removed in refinishing. Overall appearance is Belgian or German, but either should be proofed. It is missing the front sight. Does anyone have anything close for sale, a shallow dovetail measuring .200" across the top?

Thanks,
Bob

[mike ford]

Bob,
I suggest you make a chamber cast, right away. With the "dips" that are apparent in the photos, it is possible that this pistol has been rebored, rechambered, and had original marks removed. I have a single shot rifle, in my rack, that this has been done to. The mark removal was expertly done, but the reboring/rechambering-not so much. If the chamber and barrel dimensions more closely American cartridges than European, it would be suspect in my mind. This type work would not have been unusual post-war. It would be advisable, also, to check the breech face for signs of rimfire-to-centerfire conversion. Let us know what you find out, maybe we can help more then. It has a "Belgian" look to me also, but I can be wildly wrong.
Mike

[Axel E]

A G.Marneffe, Rue Bassange 16, Liege, Belgium, was listed as a gunmaker in 1889.

[hart6314]

Mike,
The "dips" are artifacts created by the shadows from my rushing to take phots in poor lighting conditions. I see no indication of converting from RF to CF or re-boring. I did notice a filled dovetail suggesting the rear sight has been replaced. The rear sight on the gun does not resemble any US or European that I have seen.
Axel,
Thanks once again. You are an incredible source of knowledge of minor makers.

Bob

[mike ford]

hart6413,
These are much better photos, they show clearly that you are correct, it was not converted from rimfire to centerfire. The shot into the chamber, also doesn't show any obvious signs ov reboring/rechambering. Do you intend to shoot it? If so, and if you need help, there are people in this forum that will be happy to help.
Mike

[Peter K]

I wonder if the rest of the makers name can be brought out with an acid treatment to the area. The information should still be there where the steel was compressed by the letter dies and hammer blows. Isn't that an FBI technique? Has anyone here played with this type of detective work?

[hart6314]

Peter,

Having worked at a police crime laboratory, I am very familiar with the process you mentioned. One of my duties was the restoration of obliterated serial numbers. The acid removes the compressed metal at a different rate and latent characters may be revealed. However, it is one thing to apply acid to evidence and another to do it to a collectible item. Either the surface that came in contact with the acid is left bare metal with a matte finish or the area is polished and re-blued, again removing any restored characters.

Bob