Interwar Belgian-manufactured 12-gauge hammerless side-by-side sporting shotgun, made and proofed in Liège, bearing an unusual Imperial Japanese Yokosuka-associated property marking. The barrels carry Belgian ELG definitive proof, the Lion/PV smokeless-powder proof, “12-70″ markings indicating 70 mm / 2¾” chambers, choke/bore markings, and a barrel-set weight of approximately 1.459 kg. The proof configuration dates the shotgun to 1924 or later, most likely interwar production.
It features a traditional double-trigger boxlock action with an extractor system, an upper crossbolt/rib-extension locking arrangement, and additional conventional under-barrel locking. This is medium-grade Continental commercial construction with extensive period hand-cut floral/scroll engraving, stippled and bordered fences, engraved screw heads, decorative breech/barrel borders, and repeating floral/star motifs. No identifiable commercial maker’s name has been located.
The exterior retains an honest aged gray/brown patina with scattered finish loss and oxidation, the engraving remaining clearly visible. The stock and fore-end are solid with no observed cracks. The action remains mechanically sound with tight lockup, and the bores are bright and shiny.
Of particular interest, the buttstock is prominently property/inventory marked 横 3771. The character 横 is documented in Imperial Japanese military/naval marking systems as an abbreviation associated with Yokosuka (横須賀), including the Yokosuka naval establishment/arsenal. The four-digit “3771” appears consistent with a secondary rack or inventory number rather than the shotgun’s Belgian manufacturing number. While the precise Japanese organization responsible for the marking has not been definitively established, the marking is consistent with possible Japanese institutional or naval service associated with Yokosuka. Reported family provenance states that the shotgun was brought home by a U.S. serviceman during or after WWII; no U.S. import marking is present.
Overall, a mechanically sound interwar Belgian Liège sporting side-by-side with attractive period engraving and an unusual 横 3771 Japanese property marking, potentially indicating wartime Japanese/Yokosuka-associated service prior to its return to the United States as a WWII bringback.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Belgian (Liège) — no identifiable commercial maker’s name located
Country of origin: Belgium (Liège)
Type: Hammerless boxlock side-by-side (SxS) sporting shotgun
Year: 1924 or later (proof configuration); most likely interwar
Gauge: 12 gauge
Chambers: 2¾” (70 mm) — “12-70” marked
Action: Double-trigger boxlock; extractor system; upper crossbolt/rib-extension locking plus conventional under-barrel locking
Barrels: ELG definitive proof, Lion/PV smokeless proof; choke/bore markings; barrel-set weight approx. 1.459 kg
Engraving: Extensive period hand-cut floral/scroll; stippled bordered fences; engraved screw heads; floral/star motifs
Condition: Mechanically sound, tight lockup; honest aged gray/brown patina with scattered finish loss/oxidation; stock and fore-end solid, no observed cracks
Bores: Bright and shiny
Markings: Buttstock property/inventory marked 横 3771 (横 = Yokosuka-associated Imperial Japanese marking)
Provenance: Reported family provenance as a WWII U.S. serviceman bringback; no U.S. import marking present
