help identifying

[soggy]

I recieved this gun from a friend a couple of years ago and never really paid much attention to it. So today I took it down and looked it over a bit and got to wondering just what I had.
I was told at the time it was 16 guage and that it shot a .625 cal. ball (I have shot some shot through it a couple of times , no ball yet)
The barrel is 36-3/8" long, and the breach plug adds another7/8" to it . It is a hooked breach, and has some fancy engraving on it. On the under side of the barrel there is the following markings... 5568, this number also appears inside the trigger guard. in another spot on the barrel is the letters "MR" further down the barrel (still on the underside) is the numbers "168 PH" ,The barrel has a crown with the letter "N" under it, the breach plug has a crown with the letter "T" under it. Also on the barrel is the letters "E" and under this is the letters "LG" and under them is a small star. This is all inside an oval .
The barrel starts out octagone, the goes to round after about 12", there is a slight notch on the breach plug and a very small sight on the muzzle end of the barrel. It has one barrel wedge which is "slotted" and had has a retaining pin. The barrel is definately made from "twist steel" as it is quite easy to see the twists in it.
I'm not the greatest photographer, but below is a few pics.
Any Idea of what I've got here ? I'm thinking about restocking it due to some "ugly" earlier repairs

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[Mike Brooks]

It's belgian

 

[George Holton]

Belgin right o look at those nice clear proof marks :thumbsup:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

As others have stated. Belgian. The Belgian's had some of the strictest and most rigorous proofing of the era.

 

[soggy]

:hatsoff: Thanks fellars; ...........now is there any way I can tell the name of the manufactuer, possible time frame, possible worth etc?
As I stated in the original post, I am considering re-stocking this gun. Right now the stock looks like the devil. One of the previous owners tried (and not too successfuly) to fit a piece in the butt end of the stock, and another (or maybe the same fellow) decided to paint or stain the back half of the stock a sicken reddish colour
I've got some wood and I have built 4-5 rifles in the past so I'm sure I can do the job. Just wondering if I might be lowering the value of this gun , or is it worthless to begin with? :rotf:
Thanks for input
Soggy

 

[Many Klatch]

Every original is worth something, and they aren't making anymore. I remember when original Civil War era Springfield rifles were selling for $50. This gun won't get any less valuable, unless you restock it.

It might be more fun to restore it to it's original appearance. It looks like a handy little gun. Shooting an original always shows a bit a class.

Many Klatch

 

[Mike Brooks]

Those guns aren't worth alot of money, but I think I would restore the original stock and then use it.
You ought to be able to strip the red off of there I would think.

 

[soggy]

:hatsoff: Thanks Many Klatch / Mike Brooks; After taking the time to think about what you guys have suggested, I know you're right.
I will try to "restore" it, I can always go the other route at a later date if I'm not satisfied
I'll take some close up photos of the "before" and "after". I just might get on this project between Christmas and New Years (that's if Mrs. Soggy doesn't have other plans for me :grin: )
Thanks again for your input;
Soggy

 

[benvenuto]

these guns were almost always put together by piece workers , literally cottage industry working in thousands of backyards across belgium. As such there is no "model" or "manufacturer". The materials were supplied by middlemen, and although the barrels might have been made and prooffed at a factory, that was about it.
Some might have had the stamp of the retailer on them somewhere, but that was usually later in the 19th century when brand recognition started to be a marketing tool