Belgium Flobert .32 CF Double-Set Trigger Single-Shot Parlor Rifle Antique

SOLD FOR: $1035

LSB#: 220107DW014

Make: Belgian

Model: Flobert Rifle, Conversion from Rimfire to Centerfire

Serial#: 662

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1850-1893, ATF Antique

Caliber: .32 Center Fire (.32 S&W chambers and extracts correctly but we recommend having the chamber cast prior to verify the caliber)

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

Markings: The bottom of the barrel is marked with the serial number “662”. 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. The bottom of the barrel, concealed by the stock, is marked with a crown above “R” which indicates a rifled barrel and “S” which was likely the manufacturer’s marking. The left side of the action, concealed by the stock, also has the same “* / E” inspector’s mark.

Barrel Length: 24”. 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 checkered 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. Notably, there is a ding on the left side of the butt, several compressions on the left side of the forend and the wood is worn by the chamber. The checkering is mostly sharp. The LOP is 14” from the front-trigger and 13” from the set-trigger to the rear end of the butt-plate. The buttplate has some yellow paint at the top, its original finish has largely worn off and it is coated in oxidation. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition for an Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is grey with mostly sharp rifling. There is erosion concentrated at the center of the bore.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 3% of its original finish. Some of the original bluing remains intact on the bottom portion of the barrel that is concealed by the stock. 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, there is a nick at the bottom of the muzzle. The 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 functions correctly. 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: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Belgian manufactured Flobert style single-shot rifle which appears to be chambered for a .32 centerfire round. In regards to the caliber, the rifle can successfully chamber and extract a .32 S&W 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 but the hammer and action were converted to fire centerfire rounds at some point. Despite being at least 130 years old, the rifle remains mechanically sound and it retains much of its aesthetic charm. This is an interesting old Belgian manufactured rifle that you do not want to miss out on!

Belgium Flobert .32 CF Double-Set Trigger Single-Shot Parlor Rifle Antique
Belgium Flobert .32 CF Double-Set Trigger Single-Shot Parlor Rifle Antique