Liège "Eclipse Company" 16 Gauge Damascus Side-by-Side Shotgun with Jones Under-Lever (c.1898–1921)
This Belgian-made black-powder shotgun combines 30" browned Damascus barrels, a Jones rotary under-lever lockup, and factory border-line engraving. Produced for the U.S. market under the trade name "Eclipse Company," it carries pre-WWI Liège proofs only, underscoring its era and black-powder design. Matching serial numbers on the barrels, water-table, and fore-end iron further confirm its originality—important details for collectors of late-19th-century sporting arms.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Fouling: Moderate Fouling - Lead or copper fouling with noticeable buildup.
Specific Condition Notes: Heavy wear is visible across the metal and wood surfaces, with widespread scratches, dents, and a heavily fouled bore.
What's Included
- Liège "Eclipse Company" 16 Gauge side-by-side shotgun
Built on a forged steel frame, this full-size double uses exposed hammers and double triggers—hallmarks of the transitional period between percussion and modern breechloaders. The Jones under-lever is mechanically robust and locks the barrels tight, yet is now seldom encountered, giving the gun added historical interest.
The 30" pattern-welded Damascus barrels display a classic longitudinal scroll pattern and retain an even browned finish. A matted rib tops the barrels, leading to a small brass bead that serves as the front sight. Extractor-only operation keeps the mechanism simple and true to its period.
Walnut furniture features a semi-pistol-grip stock with sharp checkering and a slender splinter forend. The 14.0" length of pull accommodates most shooters while preserving correct proportions for the era. Border-line engraving on the receiver and hammers provides understated ornamentation without compromising the gun’s workmanlike character.
Proofed solely for black powder, the barrels wear the ELG oval definitive proof, Perron inspection mark, BELGIUM export stamp, and the star-over-letter controller’s mark, all matching an incuse "16" gauge mark. These stamps verify Belgian origin and date the gun firmly before the universal adoption of smokeless-proof standards.