Well sometimes we get kinda lost in the story. I went back to page 1 & looked some more. The Gun is not marked KnockAbout, nor did the original poster mention this name. Somewhere along the line it seems someone "Ass-U-Me"d KnockAbout.
James' gun has the crowned oval with ELG, is not marked "Not for Ball", but has bore & choke diameters marked. The gun in question does show VL&D on the top rib. I'm sticking my my opinion this gun was not built in 1905 or later so apparently VL&D did import Francotte made guns prior to 1905, just not marked KnockAbout.
PS; My Sauer made VL&D sidelock KnockAbout does have 2 3/4" chambers by actual measurement & is stamped 70 on the extractor face.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra