Finally got a chance to pickit up and pull it apart. Looks like it needs a new spring in the right striker.
Still no ammo for it. 
Hereâs some close up picks of its stamps etc.
Just been reading a bit about Henry Peiper. Impressive history and connection to some major firearms advancements.
A beautiful gun, but be aware that those wire wrapped Damascus barrels are not safe to use with modern shells.
We shot @sungazer Belgian gun that was not proofed for smokeless but unlike yours it had solid steel barrels.
Be very careful if you plan on shooting it mate 
What length is the chamber? Very nice looking gun, Is it Damascus steel or has it just been colored that way?
Pretty sure itâs damascus and it has 2" chambers. I will send it to Rolf Hey to check over and replace a spring in the right striker.
Wish some one had mentioned the issues of damascus before i bought it! I reckon i can reload a safe round for it. Will have to do some looking into how to load it as it is intended for use.
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Mate I think your only option is going to be to reload for it. I thought 2 1/2 inch chamber was bad I was quoted a silly $1000 for a brick of shells.
So with Damascus barrels BP will definitely be your only option and 2 3/4 will also be out of the question.
What is the age? you may be able to get it classified as a wall hanger if it is before 1900 and no ammunition readily available for it. That is if I have that right.
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I think itâs likely to be pre 1900 but i bought it for snakes and kookaburras. If it is deregistered as a wall hanger, i donât think i can shoot it.
I donât need huge power from it. Just enough bang for snakes that try to move in to the house yard or chook penâŚ
It shouldnât be that hard to make a BP load from it. I know nothing about so am talking out my arse. hopefully one of the experts will come and correct me.
But on the surface it would seem to me you could take a normal 23/4 case cut it down to just over the 2 inch re prime it. Fill it with the correct amount and type of BP put a standard wad in fill with shot place a card on top seal with wax to keep it there.
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I bought some 2.5" shells that i was going to cut down and wad over but now Iâm a bit dubious on that as an initial batch.
I am planning to buy 50x brass cases and cut them to length. Was hoping there would be a smokeless low pressure powder that i can use for a low/light chargeâŚ
Gâday Gwion,
Ask around for Lyalvale nitro 12g shells, they are designed for Damascus guns and come in 2 1/2 and 2". I have been using them in my English pre-1900 guns for a few years now. Your gun is 2"? very uncommon for a Pieper, every one I have seen has been 60mm, still, loading 2" is easy and plenty of data exists. Loading black is easy as, lots of info on the net if you search for "loading 12g black powder. Nice looking old shottie, and bunnies donât care what sent the pellets to them, they give up just like their ancestors did in 1895! Cheers,
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Sorry Gwion,
Just had my morning (for me) coffee and then realized I posted regarding 12g not your 410 bore! Shouldnât speak BEFORE I wake up!! OK, your 410 Belgian gun, Damascus or not, was proofed for BP at higher pressures than they proofed for Nitro at the time, and all of the early guns used the new nitro powder cartridges interchangeably with the usual BP. Modern 2" cartridges can be used in your gun with lead or bismuth shot, after the usual gunsmith inspection of bore condition and rib soundness (have you ârungâ the barrels yet?) We have used Lyalvale 2" 1/3rd Oz, made especially for early guns including Damascus barrels, Rio Gameload 2", and Eley Hawks (very hard to find now). To save some money, make your brass shells from 303 cases, just cut to length and size. felt and cork wads can be bought from BPI in the US, or handmade if you find an appropriate punch, enjoy, the little 2" can punch above itâs weight just ask any bunny or quail weâve flattened with it! Cheers.
PS: AR2205 at around 12g with 1/3rd Oz of No6 is a fair starting load for me, BUT MAKE YOUR OWN MIND UP! Cheers.
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OK @no1mk3 regarding the proofing re my Belgian 12g made ny the same maker that was proofed for BP how does that equate to todays Smokeless proofing or Nitro Proof marks?
I have given it the real world test and it all seems to hold up. Still to work out the choke and pattern.
Thanks, @no1mk3. That info is very handy.
Ummm⌠i havenât given the barrels a phone call yet. Where do i insert the sim card??? 
I am short on time right now so i think Iâll stick with ordering brass 410 shells. Iâve also been reading a little on 2" 410 and some suggest using pistol primers for them; any credence in this idea?
Make no real difference, just donât use Magnum primers.
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Finally tracked down some 2" ammo so I bought 10 boxes. Should last a while.
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Are the Eley brand?
Yep. No6 shot 2".
Gun needs some work. Extractor doesnât push shell out. Things you do when you donât know what to look at!
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Hereâs an update on this gun for the *Traps For Young Players" section.
AS above, i knew and know very little about shotguns or how to check them out before purchase. This was not assisted by the LGS owner who happily sold me the gun without much info, despite having a âshotgun smithâ shop on-site.
Sent the gun off to have a few simple issues fixed:
- Spring replaced in firing striker
- Lock tightened up
- Extractor fixed as it wasnât really working
The gunsmith calls with bad news. He can âkind ofâ fix it but it has been a victim of backyard/farmhouse gunsmithing: fitted with incompatible barrels which is why the lock wasnât positive and the extractors werenât what you would call effective.
Being the good bloke he is, the gunsmith fixed the gun as best he could with a good turn around and at a reasonable price. He suggested i not spend money on it but i didnât want to sell a dodgy gun and donât want a useless gun in the safe. SO, an extra $180 and i have an operational 410 that is suitable for the purpose i intended but has lost the luster of ânice old historic gunâ as it is infact a âcobbled together from odd parts gunââŚ
All this transpired some time ago but i have only just thought to post anything about it.
SO, âTraps For Young Playersâ:
- Check over your intended purchase VERY closely before dropping your cash.
- Donât rely on the say so of a gunshop clerk unless you have a good rapport and developed trust⌠I had previously stopped visiting this particular shop due to the âvibeâ i got and unsatisfactory service. I went back in after seeing this old gun advertised and will now never darken their door step again⌠(no names)âŚ
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Damn @Gwion not good.
I am like you and know SFA about shotguns so I can see how easy it would be to get caught out.
Not real smart of the LGS to rip people off, obviously he is not concerned about return customers.
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To be fair, i put as much blame on the person offering the gun on consignment with no info as to itâs history. For roughly $400 youâd expect an old gun to at least be functional and safe to use.
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