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LOT 1465
Spectacular and Rare Factory Deep Relief Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid A.
Francotte .410 Bore Sidelock Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 9120, 410 gauge, 28 inch
solid rib bbl., blue/brushed bright/gold finish, walnut stock. Auguste Francotte was one of Liege’s
premier gunmakers during the firms entire existence, which spanned nearly 200 years, starting
in 1810 and shutting their doors in 2001. This gun, proofed at the London Proof House in 2011,
the year that Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. acquired the Francotte name. They built
actions and barrels and sent them to be proofed in London before returning to C.S.M.C. to be
stocked and finished.
Built with blued steel chopperlump barrels featuring a single brass bead sight on the smooth
concave solid rib which is marked “A. FRANCOTTE” as well as 3 inch chambers with automatic ejectors.
The gun displays 1 1/2 inch wedges of deep scroll engraving along with a gold band at either breech, the
aforementioned 2011 dated London proof marks, and an import mark on the under rib. The barrels are fitted to the
diminutive brushed bright sidelock action which displays highly attractive deeply carved floral scroll engraving surrounding a
trio of gold scenes before continuing onto the pierced toplever which has a gold inlaid quails head, the pierced trigger guard,
and both tangs, the bottom of which shows the serial number inlaid in gold. The scenes depict a pair of multi-colored gold
foxes about to discover a covey of bedded quail on the left lockplate, the same pair of foxes flushing the quail on the right
lockplate, and a rendition of the Federal Eagle on the underside. The engraving appears to be unsigned, but was likely cut by
the hand of Richard Roy. The gun features bushed firing pins, ribbed cocking indicators, and a tang mounted manual safety
with gold inlaid “SAFE” indicator. The gun is fitted with a gorgeous highly figured walnut forend and stock. The forend features
fine multi-point checkering with gold inlaid borders as well as matching deep carved engraving on the iron and the push-
button release. The straight hand stock features the same stunning gold bordered checkering and deep carved engraving on
the brushed heel and toe plates.
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