This is one of the fairly uncommon Jubilee grade Francotte's. In 1939 A&F advertised the introduction of the Julbilee model. This was in recognition of the first importation of Francottes by VL&D in 1889. A&F bought VL&D in 1929-30 and continued to import the Francotte shotguns. The Jubilee sold for a bit more than the Grade No. 14 but less than the grade No. 20. As you can see the Jubilee had sideplates but almost no engraving. The Blue Book assigns the name 'Jubilee' to all of the numbered model Francottes imported by A&F but that is not correct. The Jubilee was its own model. There were 40 Jubilee model shotguns imported before the war began. The serial numbers are all between 88658 and 88697. Most were sold in 1939 and 1940. The last two were sold in 1942. This particular example was sold in 1939, returned, and then sold again in 1940. Except for the Miller trigger this looks like a fairly unmolested example. About half of the Jubilee's had beavertail forends and about half had Francotte single triggers. There was also a Skeet version with 26 inch barrels choked Skeet 1 and Skeet 2.
Compliments of Griffin & Howe
Bob Beach
Records Archivist
http://www.griffinhowe.com/research-main.cfm P.S. - I will have the VL&D and A&F reords on my computer at the Vintagers next week if you care to stop by the G&H tent.
