doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Need Information on Francotte

I think the gun, like four or five I have seen before, is a gun rebarreled by Francotte. Had a nice SLE at one time, with no name on the receiver, but Francotte on the barrels. The serial number of that very high quality SLE did not fit at all into the known Francotte range. It's a good enough gun that it would have been worth rebarreling.

I just received information from Bob Beach who was nice enough to call me and go over things with me. His feeling is that it is real and was built in 1971. The barrels were probably purchased by Francotte for the supplier and they added their name to the top of the barrels. He said this was common in the 70's when SXS guns were hard to sell. He and I both feel that if you went to the trouble to fake everything else you would have put the AF on the flats.

Great way for a gun dealer to sell guns on here....make a post acting like you have genuine interest in the gun when in reality all you are really interested in is selling it on here.

Awww, jOe, the guy has already posted that the gun's not for sale. Could be he is drumming up interest in preparation for listing it on the 'For Sale' section later, but 'till he does I think we have to take him at his word...Geo

Joe, I'm sure that somewhere else on the Internet there's a punchbowl just waiting for a turd like you. This has been a good discussion about an interesting gun.

And I'm sure you're already floating in it....

Interesting sleuthing going on here.
When I saw your pics my gut reaction was
about a 70's vintage gun. The quality and type of engraving along
with the condition (especially underside, in front of TG) of the metal surfaces
did not look like a gun from between the wars to my eyes.
All speculation on my part though--opinions aren't worth much, I know.
-jim

Jim, I have to admit I would never have guessed this as a gun from the 70's, but then this is the first Francotte I've every had. That is why I ask for the help of all of you. I just don't have the experience in these guns. I really do appreciate all of the information and even the opinions. I have the gun on approval and I'm just trying to decide if I'm going to keep it. I love the gun, the look, the feel (cast off nicely), and the engraving. It fits me like a glove and that means a lot. Just don't want to get into too deeply if that makes sense.

Gerry,
Hope you did not interpret my remarks as being critical or negative.
Personally, I think the gun is lovely. Only remarking on it's "perceived" vintage.
Good luck with it.

Did not take the remarks as negative at all. Almost everyone has given me great insight. It is very difficult making evaluations on guns from pictures. I'm probably going to keep it even though it is probably priced at or near the top end. All of the people that really know these guns seem to think the gun is fine so that is good enough for me. I do now believe it is a 1971 gun and that probably the barrels were purchased by Francotte to add to their receiver. That seems to be what the majority think at this point. Anyway, bottom line is I like the gun and it is quality inside and out as far as I can tell.