I am not familiar with European doubles so have some questions on this Auguste Francotte 12 gauge hammer gun with Krupp Fluid Steel barrels and swamped top rib with serial number 71029 as described and pictured below.
Top of right barrel is marked AUGUSTE FRANCOTTE and top of left barrel is marked BREVETE A LEIGE. Barrels are 28 inches long and are choked about Mod in right barrel and Full in the left barrel and has a neat looking swamped rib. Has a pistol grip stock, horn butt plate and measures 14 LOP x 1 DAC x 2 3/8 DAH. Has sling swivels on stock and bottom rib. Gun weighs 6 pounds. Barrels are in great shape with no pitting or dents. The wood has no cracks or splits, just a couple light scratches and very small dents. Looks to be all original. Everything works perfect.
This is my questionable interpretation of the markings on the barrel flats and water table.
It looks like it has the preliminary proof marks, the final black powder proof marks plus the voluntary semi smokeless proof marks.
Various inspector marks, the Auguste Francotte mark and the 12 over C in a diamond indicating made before June of 1924.
The chamber data: D = 65/20.6 mm or 2.56 inch chamber length and 0.811 inch chamber diameter. Barrel weight data: P1K269.5 or 1.2695Kg which would be about 2.8 pounds. Actual weight is 2.6 pounds.
Choke and bore markings: Left barrel; 17.6(0.693)/18.4(0.724) /preliminary proof mark/ 17.6(0.693)/18.3(0.720) which looks to have a bore diameter of 0.724 and 0.720 (before and after proof??) and choke dimension of 0.693 which seems to be about a Full choke.
Similar marking on the right barrel with the same bore diameter but choke dimensions of 0.716, or about a Modified choke.
Some uncertain markings: Not sure what the D23 mark is on the water table of the receiver?? 03876 stamped in the stock just behind the half pistol grip?? 5875 on the bottom of the left barrel and 2156 on the bottom of the right barrel next to the lug?? Possibly not significant! I have more pictures if that would be helpful.
Im guessing the value of this gun would be around the $2500 range depending on how motivated the seller and buyer might be. Is that a reasonable guessment?
Any and all comments are welcome. I have shot the gun with light loads, 0.6 and 0.75 ounces, and its a delight to shoot. Looks neat too.
Thank you, Jolly.
