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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 278
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 278 |
Can anyone tell me the what grade this Francotte would be? Going by the SN list it was made around 1972 and is only a mid grade gun. How many grades did Francotte have? Thanks, Jon 
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 87
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 87 |
I have a reprint of a 1930 Francotte catalog from Gunnerman Press. It shows 12 sidelocks and no model numbers or names. There are no guns showing that have the same engraving as yours altho one is similar. I have been told that Francotte did not assign model names as each gun was a special order. There is a similar gun on one of the gun sales websites, but the engraving is slightly different. There are some members who post here that will have more info. Good Luck!
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 87
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 87 |
A little more clarification as to grades. Francotte made only three grades. Best Grade, Medium Grade. Bottom Grade.
There are many different levels within the grades. And many different values. Guns are difficult to identify and evaluate.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 416
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 416 |
It's virtually impossible to compare Francotte guns made before ~1960 to those made afterwards, as several ownership changes after ~1960 resulted in a very different company.
If the serial # fits the 'medium grade' designations, that's likely what you've got - a very nice early 70s 'Purdey style' sidelock w/ articulated front trigger and cocking indicators.
More pictures, including all barrel and action marks/stamps, etc., might allow for a few more conclusions. What gauge is it?
Francotte went out of business, apparently for good, ~Y2K.
MickeyD,
I suspect I've got the same catalog you do, being a European [in French] version. From ~ 1900 through the 50s Francottes were imported in the US by only a couple of companies, and the various US models are fairly easy to differentiate. The European market had a completely different set of models to choose from, as this catalog clearly shows.
Always looking for small bore Francotte SxS shotguns.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 87
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 87 |
Randall,
I do have the same catalog. Some of the guns in the catalog were still being made in the 60s.Look in the Superposes section at the back of the book. I have a 16 GA O/U like the one marked 9/40E S-33. SN shows it as a Medium Grade.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 15 |
" --- a very nice early 70s 'Purdey style' sidelock w/ articulated front trigger and cocking indicators." Those look to be copies of H&H Royal locks per pin placement. Did I miss something?
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 278
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 278 |
Thanks guys, I am not concerned with a value for this gun as it is not for sale. It belongs to a good friend that just wanted a little history on it so I went looking to see when the gun was made. I was surprised to find the gun was a medium grade gun according to the SN list. I have seen guns listed as best quality that were not finished nearly as nice as this gun. I was wondering how many grades there were and where this one might fit in. Here is a picture of the barrel flats. I appologize for the quality but my camera is not the greatest when it comes to fine detail shots. Thanks again! 
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 142 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 142 Likes: 1 |
J.B. who is the importer? what does it say on the top of the barrels,if it says Abercrombie & Fitch then you could find more info by contacting Griffin & Howe,and ask for Mr. Bob Beech,phone # is 1-908-766-2287.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 278
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 278 |
Jim, Thanks but there are no import markings on the gun. The barrels are marked "Auguste Francotte".
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 416
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 416 |
Rocketman - sorry for any confusion over my poor syntax. I should have typed 'action' after 'Purdey style'.
Francotte traditionally offered two choices of their 'triple lock' actions, being Purdey or Greener.
Always looking for small bore Francotte SxS shotguns.
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