doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Francotte Arms, SXS

I have found a SXS shotgun that I would like to know what it is. It has the name Francotte's Arms on the top of one barrle and the name Leige' on the other. It has engraving all over the sides and top. It's serial number is 20XXX. Hopefully you don't need to know the rest. It has a sling mount between the bottom of the barrels. Double triggers. What is it? I've heard of fakes, is this one?

Hi, first, welcome to the forum!! Lots of wonderful folks here with a ton of knowledge and I maen a ton!! I think you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

Anyway, Francotte is one of the top makers in Bel. They are known for high quality guns. Your gun is more than likely the real deal, but to make sure, it would be great if ypu could post some pics of the gun. The real experts here will be able to help more than me.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!!

All the best!

Greg

If it say 'Leige' it's a fake - it's unlikely that the Belgian's would mis-spell the name of their major gunmaking city.

Assuming that you mis-typed, there is hardly enough information to determine the authenticity. The presence of sling swivels suggests that it was made for the European market and later imported to the US. Francotte used the same serial numbers on different models at different times. It could be a 1940's gun or a 1950's gun, depending on the model. If you could provide photos of the gun, especially the proof marks, you would get a more accurate and informative response.

hI nEED2NO
WHOOPS! My keybrd is wacky!!
Going from memory ,& the Francottes I have owned tjhat would ,if its the usual medium grade boxlock ,or sideplated boxlock, make it well before 1900..i had a non sideplate 14e that was around 40,000 & remember it as around 1901 or 1904.But memory isn't great
The 4 Francottes I have had were all Sideplated boxlocks from VL& D, in the 80xxxish range & from around 1920-30,ID via the Alphabet code sheet....&, & this is important to me...marked Auguste Francotte , maker & Patentee Liege, Belgium...on the sideplates or side of action.
There have been other ones mentioned here..."Francotte Arms", but they don't seem to be of the same quality , and seem rather different from the Aug' Francotte, maker patentee ones from VL&D.
A few pics would make it easier, off the gun , & as Bob says..the stampings
cheers
Franc

1001, you can determine quite easily whether it's an Auguste Francotte gun. Remove the barrels. On the flats (underneath the chambers) you'll find a number of marks. One of them should be an "AF" with a crown. It may also say "Francotte Chokebore". But there are a number of different grades of Francotte guns. Hard to distinguish without further information--especially photos, as noted above.

As Larry stated, pictures are needed. For maker's marks you can look here. Just do a search for "Francotte".

http://damascus-barrels.com/bp.html

Some of the Francotte's are field guns or knock-abouts, others are more.

Pete

I have photos does anyone know how I can post them....

Also, I did mispell above.

Any idea how I can send you a photo?

My 1899 hammerless 12ga Francotte serial 337XX says on action A Francotte Maker & Patented (and below) Liege Belgium. On the barrels usual VLD markings. On the rib, with gold bar, Made for C.W. Billings

You need to post some more info.

But, if it says is 'Francotte Arms', I'll go out on a limb and say the odds are pretty good it was not made by Auguste Francotte, Liege, the maker of 'true' Francotte shotguns.

Here are some Belgian proofs - which would only prove the gun was made in Belgium, not who made it. But, if it doesn't have at least some of these, it's definitely not a Francotte.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view...71&offset=0