Description:
General Specs: Francotte, Year 1931, 16 Gauge, 5lbs 10oz, Chokes SK/M, LOP 13 1/2", DAH 2", DAC1 5/16"
Serial Number: 87282
Auguste Francotte is world famous as a high-quality firearms maker from the gun making center of Leige, Belgium dating back as far as 1805. Still making fine shotguns with price tags starting at $18,000, Francotte is a brand recognized and used by heads of state, business tycoons, and in some cases, the fortunate "Average Joe". Search long and hard, you will not find another Auguste Francotte like this one. First, this is the Model 30E, one of the highest grades A. Francotte offered in the boxlock ejector format. They are nicely built side by sides with a solid reputation for graceful looks and handling characteristics as well as rock solid dependability. But when have you seen a 16ga. field gun weighing less than a 20ga? This fine pre-war Francotte, sn87282 built in 1931, has seen little use, still showing 98% blue and 85% vivid factory case color on the action. Beautifully hand engraved with FULL COVERAGE FINE SCROLL ENGRAVING, GAME BIRDS IN FLIGHT, AND DEEPLY CARVED BREECH BALLS, this is a very high-end side by side. The wood is highly figured European walnut with most of the factory finish still there and the factory 28LPI hand-cut checkering in excellent condition. There are a lot of field use marks in the buttstock wood, but all are superficial and there are no cracks or gouges in the wood. We can restore the wood for you if you wish in a very short period of time for an added cost; just ask about this in-house service we provide. The LIMBSAVER Recoil pad is the most effective recoil absorption pad on the market today. We can install a fine leather pad for you if that is your preference. The gun weighs in at an ultra-light 5lbs. 10oz. with its 26” Siemens Martin fluid steel barrels that are choked SK/M and have mirror perfect bores. It is a very dynamic shotgun with the balance point 3/16” in front of the hinge pin. With the English style stock it is lightning fast to the shoulder and puts a smile on your face when you handle her. The gun is mechanically excellent with strong, well timed ejectors, barrels tight on the hinge pin and breech face like a new gun, perfect screws, crisp triggers…all in perfect working order an in need of no work at all. THERE ARE 5 LOCKING POINTS ON THIS FRANCOTTE; A HIDDEN GREENER CROSS BOLT AT THE TOP RIB, DOUBLE UNDERLUG LOCKING BOLTS, SIDECLIPS, AND A THROUGH RECEIVER BARREL LUG, making sure the barrels are locked to the breech face laterally and vertically. It just doesn’t get any better than that! What a great gun for your upland pursuits, especially for the grouse and woodcock coverts and hunting over fine dogs. She will represent well at the vintage sporting events too. Francotte built some of the highest quality guns ever made and they are surprisingly affordable as this gun demonstrates. Thanks for looking!
Barrels
Barrel Length: 26"****
Chokes: .004/.019 SK/M****
Bores: perfect mirror****
Bore Diameter: .669/.670****
Wall Thickness: .027/.030****
% Blue: 98%****
Chambers: 2 5/8"****
Ribs: tight****
Sights: single****
Action
Action: tight****
Ejectors or Extractors: ejectors, strong, timed****
Case Color: 85% factory****
Screws: perfect****
Engraving: deep foliate fences; birds and scroll; trigger guard****
Trigger Type: double, crisp****
Trigger Guard Color: 98% factory charcoal blue****
Stock
Type: English stock/splinter forend****
LOP: 13 1/2"****
LOP To End Of Wood: 12 9/16"****
DAH: 2"****
DAC: 1 5/16"****
Cast: neutral****
Checkering Condition: excellent, 28LPI****
Butt Treatment: kick eeze black****
There are more photos upon request. We offer a 30 day mechanical warranty on this fine firearm. Call us for full details.
Condition:
Used, Minor Wear
Brand:
Francotte
Model:
87282
Caliber:
16 Gauge
Location:
MI
Trades Accepted: Yes.
Shipping Notes: See Description
LET ME SELL YOUR GUNS!!! As you can see, I do a thorough job, am nationally known, and have hundreds of existing customers looking for your gun! Federally licensed dealer of Classic American Doubles, i.e. Fox, Parker, Ithaca, L.C. Smith, Lefever. Guns must be shipped to licensed dealer. Layaways accepted. No returns on layaways. I BUY SHOTGUNS, COLLECTIONS OR ONE AT A TIME.
