Lhermitte & Bruyninckx, 32-Gauge 10.8mm Black Powder Smoothbore Barrel

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Identification: This is the barrel of a smoothbore percussion muzzleloader, likely a fowling piece or a military carbine, manufactured in Liège, Belgium, in the early 1850s (circa 1853, based on the "5/13" marking and "E C" proof). The 10.8 mm bore (roughly 32-gauge) and 29-inch length indicate a lightweight firearm for hunting or military use, possibly for cavalry. It was potentially re-proofed after 1877, as indicated by what may be an inspector’s mark (star over "O").

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Maker: The Liège proof marks confirm Belgian origin, with an initial proofing in the 1850s and a re-proofing after 1877.

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Proofing History:
Initial Proofing (1850s): The "E LG" mark (1810-1853) and "E C" mark (introduced 1852) indicate the barrel was originally proofed in Liège, Belgium, likely around 1853 (as suggested by "5/13" on the tang, possibly May 1853). This aligns with its design as a percussion muzzleloader.

Re-Proofing (Post-1877): The star over "O" mark confirms a re-proofing after 1877. This could have occurred due to continued use (e.g., by a civilian hunter), refurbishment, or re-importation to Belgium.

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Smoothbore and Caliber:
The "E C" mark confirms this is a smoothbore, and the "10.8" marking indicates a 10.8 mm bore (roughly 32-gauge), consistent with the measurement of 10.4 mm (within a small margin of error).

The 10.8 mm smoothbore and 29-inch barrel length suggest a lightweight fowling piece or a military carbine, likely used for hunting or as a cavalry weapon firing round shot or buckshot.

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I believe there are faint marks for "LLH" which I found represented Laurent Lochet Habran or Lochet-Habran Laurent trade firearms.


"5/13," "13 - 8": These are likely dates or serial numbers, with "5/13" supporting the 1853 proofing date.

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I found a reference identifying this mark as: Lhermite & Bruyninck


Likely Scenario: The barrel was manufactured by Lhermite & Bruyninck (or a variant like Lhermitte & Bruyninckx) around 1853, as indicated by the "LB" mark. The re-proofing after 1877 (star over "O") might reflect maintenance or export handling, potentially involving Lochet-Habran’s workshop later.

I found cousin barrels! Article on gunloads.com

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Liège, Belgium, was a major center for firearm production in the 19th century, known for crafting high-quality guns for both domestic and export markets.

Historical Context: Production in Liège: During the 19th century, Liège was home to numerous gunmakers, including large workshops and small artisans, producing a wide range of fowlers in various gauges. Smaller gauges like 32-gauge (10.8mm) were less common for military use but were popular for civilian hunting, especially for small game where a lighter firearm was preferred.

Export Market: Liège fowlers were frequently exported to Europe, North America, and regions like Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The Cyrillic "б" on your barrel suggests it was likely made for export to Russia or Eastern Europe, where smaller fowlers might have been used for hunting in rural areas.

Characteristics of Belgian 10.8mm Fowlers: Bore Size: A 10.8mm (32-gauge) fowler would be lightweight, typically weighing 5-7 pounds, with a barrel length of 28-36 inches (this barrel’s 29-inch length fits this range). This size was ideal for portability and hunting small birds or game.

Ignition Type: By the 1850s (when this barrel was made), percussion ignition had largely replaced flintlock for new firearms. Percussion fowlers, used a nipple and percussion cap for reliable ignition, even in wet conditions.

Construction: Belgian fowlers often featured high-quality barrels (sometimes Damascus steel, though this appears to be solid steel), with simple but functional designs. Stocks were typically walnut, and the barrel might have minimal decoration for civilian models.

Use Case: A 32-gauge fowler would fire a small shot load (e.g., 1/2 ounce of #6 shot for birds) or a round ball (e.g., .40 caliber, around 90 grains) for small game like rabbits. Its effective range would be limited—about 20-30 yards for shot and 40-50 yards for a round ball.

Liège Gunmakers: Several Liège gunmakers produced fowlers in smaller gauges like 32-gauge:

• A. Francotte: A prominent Liège manufacturer, active in the 19th century, known for producing high-quality fowlers and shotguns for export. Francotte made both flintlock and percussion fowlers in various gauges, including smaller ones for civilian use.

• J. Lebeau: Another Liège gunmaker, active in the 1850s, who produced fowlers and other firearms for domestic and export markets. Lebeau’s guns were often simple but well-crafted.

• J. Malherbe: A Liège maker known for producing fowlers and military arms, often marked with initials or a logo. Malherbe supplied guns to various markets, including Eastern Europe.

Proof Marks: This barrel’s Liège proof marks ("E LG" from 1810-1853, "E C" introduced 1852, and star over "O" post-1877) confirm it was made and proofed in Liège, consistent with these manufacturers’ practices.

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I decided to test my luck on eBay and ended up buying four older Dixie Gun Works catalogs from the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1971 edition, I discovered an advertisement for a barrel, and it seems these catalogs also featured a Dixie lock mechanism.

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Here's an informative image that provides some context about how Dixie obtained this barrel, confirming its journey to us.

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