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Historic A. Francotte ''Imp. Fthrwt.'' SxS Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Historic A. Francotte ''Imp. Fthrwt.'' SxS Shotgun
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Historic August Francotte ''Improved Featherweight'' Side-by-Side Hammer Shotgun, #16438, 12 ga., 2-3/4'' chs., with 25-1/2'' browned Damascus steel barrels inscribed ''A. Francotte Gun Maker'', ''Patentee London'', with a 3/8'' concave matted rib and front silver bead; bores measure approx. .729''/.720'' with .030''/.033'' wall thickness and .037''/.011'' choke constrictions; barrels are individually numbered 16438 and 16478 and have double underlugs, a single top crossbolt and extractor; barrel flats have Belgian black powder proofs with correct A. Francotte stamps. Case-colored frame has back-action locks, rebounding hammers and double triggers; engraving is exceptionally fine 3/4 coverage scroll with highlighted borders. The round knob walnut stock and Anson release splinter forend have 20 line-per-inch flat diamond checkering with a light oil finish; length of pull is 14-3/16'' to a checkered horn buttplate, drop at comb is 1-13/16'', drop at heel is 2-13/16'', weight is just under 5-3/8 lbs. Toe line of the stock has a silver shield inscribed ''John Kemmerer 1888''. The extensive history of the Kemmerer railroad and mining family of Pennsylvania, along with additional details of the gun, are discussed at length in the accompanying article ''The John L. Kemmerer Francotte'', by Alexander J. Deatherage, published in the Winter 2010 issue of The Double Gun Journal. Overall mechanical condition remains very good with tight bolting and strong mainsprings. Triggers are firm with accumulated dry oil on the lower tang and inletting; chambers and bores are shiny with a few thin oxidation patches and scattered light indentations in the barrel walls; muzzle edges are slightly worn and the front bead is a replacement; the rib extension and action face at the right striker are chaffed. Barrels have 30% mottled brown with silvering along the sides; frame has 20% remaining case colors with silvered handling areas. Stock and checkering have overall scratches and scrapes with handling wear and dryness; buttplate has a 1/2'' side chip. Est.: $3,000-$5,000. (Antique)