GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
FRANCOTTE SPECIAL DELUXE "GRADE 45E" SIDEPLATED BOXLOCK GAME GUN WITH EXQUISITE SCROLL ENGRAVING AND RELIEF GOLD INLAY WITH CASE. FRANCOTTE SXS DLX SIDEPLATED 64553 12 GA MODERN; C&R Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8" Chambers. 26" Chopper lump bbls are engraved "A. Francotte Maker and Patentee Liege Belgium" on milled out portion of concave, matted game rib. Tops of bbls are engraved "Von Lengerke & Detmold U.S. Agents - New York." Bbl flats are stamped with Belgian nitro proofs. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with steel type, choke information, chamber length, and SN. Case hardened, sideplated, boxlock action with intercepting safety sears, features automatic safety (S inlaid in gold), crossbolt third fastener, side clips, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage small open scroll with floral and shaded scroll borders surrounding relief gold inlaid sporting vignettes; pair of foxes watching a trio of ducks take flight on bottom; fillets beside beads are finely engraved in floral motif. Fences are semi-relief engraved with roses and trefoil. Sideplates with matching small scroll background portray a setter and pointer pointing a trio of quail on left, and another pointer with setter pointing a pair of pheasant on right. Another fox similar to scene on bottom of action, watches another duck take flight on trigger guard bow. SN is engraved on tang. Beautifully marbled and figured Circassian walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over broad, flat checkered wood butt, and features drop points, as well as closely spaced flat top point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.729, right - .727. Bore restrictions: left - .033 (full), right - .006 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .0343, right - .033. Drop at heel: 2-1/2", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Gold colored heavy canvas case with tan leather trim, is lined in burgundy cloth, and has Francotte black leather label in lid. Case contains pair of snap caps, square oil bottle, 2-pc birch and brass cleaning rod, mop and brush. Also included are case straps and the key. PROVENANCE: Remarkable William Larkin Moore Private Estate Collection of Fine Sporting Arms. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain approx 98% of a re-freshened blue over what appears to be orig blue, and is quite shiny. Action and lockplates retain 90 - 95% orig case hardening color, most silvering on beads and fences, thinning a bit on bottom. Lockplates are actually much stronger. Bright blue of trigger guard has faded a bit on bow, and is silvered considerably on grip. Top lever is silvered at thumbpiece. Bright blue on triggers is at about 50%. Stocks appear to have a light refinish, many years ago, sharp edges and checkering are a bit softened. This newer finish is over a number of light marks and dings. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout, with one or two small pings in right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Case is excellent. Interior is a bit dusty. A superb high end lightweight 12 bore Francotte. The standard 45 grade retailed for $550.00 in 1927. The special grade was priced by arrangement. 50594-77 mgm61 (7,500-12,500)