Make: Belgian

Model: Flobert Parlor Rifle

Serial#: NVSN

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1850-1893, ATF Antique

Caliber: 6 mm Flobert/.22 BB Cap.

Action Type: Single-Shot Flobert style rifle with Extractor.

Markings: The left side of the barrel, at the chamber, is marked “E /LG / *” inside an oval which was the standard Belgian proof from 1811 until 1893 and “* / E” which was the inspector’s marking. 

Barrel Length: 23.25”. Octagonal.

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a dovetailed brass blade. The rear sight is a dovetailed “V”-notch.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece wood featuring a smooth forend, a checkered semi-pistol grip, a straight comb and a semi-crescent butt-plate. The stock has scattered light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. The checkering is mostly sharp. The LOP is 13.75” from the trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate. The buttplate has some surface rust, its original finish has largely worn off and it is coated in oxidation. It is embossed with a stag. The stock has been ornately decorated with brass and mother of pearl button inlaid on both sides of the stock. Some pieces are missing. Overall, the stock is in Good condition for an Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is grey with mostly visible rifling. There is erosion concentrated at the center of the bore. The bore rate 5/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 0% of its original finish. Otherwise, the finish has largely worn off. The rifle is now coated in mild-moderate surface oxidation and has taken a patina color. There are light-moderate handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, the breech block has been removed making the rifle inoperable. Some markings remain clear. The screwheads have moderate tool-marks but they remain serviceable. Overall, the rifle is in Good condition for an Antique.

Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The “legged” pivoting Breechblock of the warnant action that would push back on the extractor has been removed making the weapon inoperable. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: This rifle is accompanied by a deer skin sheath ornate with beads the heath is in good shape.

Our Assessment: This is a Belgian manufactured Flobert style single-shot rifle which appears to be chambered for a 6 mm Flobert/.22 BB Cap round. In regards to the caliber, the rifle can successfully chamber and extract a .22 LR round but due to the gun’s advanced age we recommend having the chamber cast to confirm the correct caliber of ammunition. The rifle is based on a design by the French firearms designer Louis-Nicolas Flobert. His iconic rifles were typically designed as “parlor rifles” which were meant to be used for indoor target shooting. It did not take long for Belgian companies, during the 19th century the country had a robust gun industry, to begin producing versions of the rifle for export. This rifle appears to have been originally designed to fire rimfire cartridges. Despite being at least 130 years old, the rifle remains sound and has been updated with this aesthetic charm. This is an interesting old Belgian manufactured rifle that I believe looked great as someone’s back pack piece in living history.