Fellows, Does anyone know when Francotte ceased operations in Leige? I am looking at one of their sidelocks from 1983 trying to put an approximate value on it, but don’t know what they were selling for back then. Thanks, Sandlapper
Vic Venters wrote about that in his book "Gun Craft" page 116 Francotte was taken over by Derksen in 2001 and in 2003 Derksen was bankrupt.
Marc.
OT but according to https://no.linkedin.com/in/piet-h%C3%B8vig-88b76648/en-us the brand has been owned by the Dutch lawyer Piet Høvig since January 1997. According to
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=211324&page=all there has been small scale manufacture in the Netherlands (Maastricht?) under the name.
Markus
Markus, you speak about a small number of unfinished guns who have all ready the name Francotte on it and these guns passed the proof house. I know about this and I am aware that these guns were finished at a very high level. After this not one single gun could have the name Francotte on it, this was a decision of the commercial court.
Cheers, Marc.
Thanks guys for the information.
Dunno bout '83 but according to the 1991 Shooter's Bible $27,500 for a basic sidelock ($31,000 in 28 or .410 gauge), and the '95 SB $22,427 (& $24,665).
Markus
Good morning Markus, I wanted to send you a personal mail but it not passed. I have friends in Finland and hunt in Finland each yaer, so if you want to contact me my e-mail is in my profile.
Greetings from Belgium, Marc.