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LOT 1432
Factory Engraved Auguste
Francotte Sidelock
Dangerous Game Double
Rifle in .458 Winchester
Magnum - Serial no. 90910,
458 Win Mag cal., 26 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Auguste Francotte was one of Liege’s premier gunmakers during the firms
entire existence, which spanned nearly 200 years from 1810 to 2001. Built with blued Boehler steel chopperlump
barrels featuring a ramped white beaded blade fore sight, a two-leaf rear sight on the matted raised quarter rib which
also hosts a set of German claw mounts, front sling swivel, 1968 dated Liege proof marks, import mark under the
forend, “AUG. FRANCOTTE” and “BREVETE-LIEGE” engraved on the right and left tubes respectively, and chambers with
automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened bolstered sidelock action with hidden third fastener
which displays extensive near full coverage scroll engraving encompassing the “AUG. FRANCOTTE” banners on either
lockplate and “AUG. FRANCOTTE/LIEGE” on the underside before flowing off of the action onto the blued toplever, trigger
guard, and lower tang as well as the extended casehardened lollipop upper tang. The rifle features bushed firing pins, cocking
indicators, double triggers, and a tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid “S” indicator. The rifle is fitted with a beautifully figured and
multi-point flat-top checkered semi-beavertail forend with engraved blued iron, an Anson button release, and a gold inscription crest marked “GC” as well as a pistol grip stock with teardrop
carved drop points, a casehardened and engraved trapdoor grip cap, shadowline cheekpiece, rear sling swivel, and a Silver’s type recoil pad. Length of pull 14 11/16 inches. Weight 11 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% original blue finish, 90% plus original case colors with much of the loss on the upper tang, light handling evidence, and a few tiny freckles of spotting. The stock has been repaired on the
bottom of the stock head; otherwise, the wood is very fine with a few marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A lovely rifle from one of Belgium’s finest makers!
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500