doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Need help with older Francotte

I studied the mark under a loupe and it looks very much like a five-pointed star over a conjoined A and H. I'm attaching the best picture my little digital camera can get, as well as a hand copy. Does this help?

BTW, I'm a fussy systems engineer in my own trade (very different from this thread), but am very impressed by the erudition and skill of this group. Thanks!

Bruce, the mark of interest is the one ABOVE the * over AH mark...are you saying it's also a * over AH?

This should clear up my poor description..



Can you get a close-up of that top mark?

Pete

My mistake about your question: the mark you identify as a possible makers mark is the same as on the barrel flats - a five-pointed star over a horizontal bar over a capital U.

Looking in front of the barrel flats, on the underside of the barrels themselves - any words, marks, or individual letters there?

Yes, there are marks on the bottoms of both barrels, on the round parts forward of the flats.
Both barrels have two 'V' s at right angles, one with a five pointed star over it (see hand copy). Are these marks meaningful: I had though they might be barrel vendor marks for a sub supplying parts to Francotte (or the action builder) since many gun parts were sub-contracted.

Very nice looking trigger blade, not similar to any Miller I have seen, including non selective models. Probably a factory installation in Europe. Its working qualities are much more important than its origin.

I will jump in and ask a "leading" question.
Is this possibly a Lard trigger? Think of an Elsie single trigger.
I am certain that Westley Richards used this trigger as well.
FWIW Dept-----I find it very unreasonable to find a single trigger of any design on a Belgian guild gun unless it is the result of a Journeyman's efforts to rise to Master. If this be the case, it is usual that no name would be on the piece.
The more I think on it, it pleases me to think that this gun was built by a Journeyman in the Francotte factory. If that be so, all the questions would be answered with sensible explanations.
It would have been carefully used by the makers family and if new barrels were needed, a piece of cake to get them from the factory.
Best,
John

I wish to add a final "Thank you" to everyone who brought their specialized knowledge and opinions to this discussion. I have learned a great deal and will pass this discussion along to whoever buys this gun.
Best regrads to all,
Bruce Low