Francotte, sn91539, 1984, .410, 5lbs. 2oz., F/F
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. Making fine shotguns into the 21rst Century with price tags topping out at over $100,000, 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. Built in the “modern days” of 1984, this is a true sidelock with all the BEST GUN FEATURES YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FIND ON AN $80,000 GUN IN TODAY’S WORLD, INCLUDING CHOPPER LUMP BARRELS WITH A HAND-FILED CONCAVE RIB, THE FINEST HAND-CHISELED ROSE AND SCROLL ENGRAVING ON A SCULPTED FRAME WITH BEADED FENCES, ARTICULATED FRONT TRIGGER, COCKING INDICATORS, STOCKED TO THE FENCES WITH THE FINEST EXHIBITION TURKISH WALNUT INCLUDING DROP POINTS, 26 LPI CHECKERING, TERMINATING IN A CHECKERED BUTT WITH A 15 1/8” LENTH OF PULL. The workmanship is uncompromised, with perfect wood-to-metal fit, the hand-filed components of the action melt together without flaw, and of course, mechanical perfection with crisp triggers, intercepting safety sears, high-polished internal components, and a frame and barrel set scaled to the diminutive .410 bore chambering. This gun is nearly new, with 99.5% of the factory finishes remaining and showing no signs of being shot more than a few times. The barrels are tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face, the ejectors strong and timed, triggers crisp, and the engraving still sharp as new. THIS IS NOT ONE OF FRANCOTTE’S SIDE PLATED GUNS LIKE THE MODEL 30E YOU WILL SEE FROM TIME TO TIME IN .410 BORE…THIS IS A TRUE SIDELOCK BEST GUN, RARE AS CAN BE, AND PRICED TO SELL. Weighing just 5lbs. 2oz. with its 15” LOP and 28” barrels, the gun balances to perfection just forward of the hinge pin to avoid the “whippy” feeling of an ultralight gun. Proofed and chambered for the modern 3” shell and choked full in both barrels, this is a gun for the field or at the clays course and capable of taking game if you do your part. Not only is this a BEST GUN at a reasonable price, it is also one of only a handful ever made. I have only seen 3 like guns in my 30 years of intensive chasing of fine shotguns. A new Piotti, or even a BEST Spanish gun, would cost almost double our asking price on this finest from the Belgium gun world. No longer in business, Auguste Francotte small bore guns are highly sought after and grand investment vehicles you can enjoy as they increase in value. Thanks for looking, and don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks for looking!
Barrels: 28"
Chokes: .025/.029 F/F
Bores: perfect mirror
Bore Diameter: .409/.410
% Blue: 99% factory
Chambers: 3"
Ribs: hand filed concave; tight
Sights: front-brass
Action: tight centered
Ejectors or Extractors: ejectors-strong, timed
Receiver Condition: 99% vivid factory case color
Screws: perfect
Engraving: sharp, crisp, detailed rose and scroll by M. Smets
Trigger Type: double-crisp; articulated front
Trigger Guard Color: 99% factory charcoal blue
Stock: English/splinter forend
LOP: 15 1/16"
LOP To End Of Wood: 15 1/16"
DAH: 1 13/16"
DAC: 1 3/8"
Cast: neutral
Checkering: superb
Butt: checkered butt
INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on long guns. If it is a "VFI Certified" gun there is a 90 day mechanical warranty. Call or email us for more details or questions. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc.