Francotte small bores

[Phillip Carr]

Just a few pictures of a project I am currently working on. The top gun pictured is my 1923 HE model in wonderful condition with all of the original assorted items and case. The other gun and additional pictures of my model 30 E 28 gauge. Will need some work and will end up with a nice leather pad since poor splice on buttstock.

[Dean Romig]

I’ve always thought Francotte small bore sidelocks were an undervalued gun. That’s a nice one!
Morris has several beauties too.





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[davidboyles]

I too favor the francottes and have a 25E 29 ga in original A&F case along with a full seven pin side lock 16 ga Deforney. Both are about as good as they get and I'm always looking for small bore Belgium guns. Would like to find a 28 ga to round out and maybe a 410. Good luck on your projects.

[Phillip Carr]

David I had another Francotte 1923 HE 410 and a nice Knockabout 28 I listed a few years ago. Traded the 28 to a member and 410 did not get much attention. Ended up selling it to a friend locally. I can let you know if I find more locally.

My model 30E is actually a side plate gun but the price was right. Pad now installed and now will go out to be leather covered and some restoration. Shot pigeons and dove with it Saturday. Ejectors are strong and gun is as tight as new.
At 5lbs it’s pretty sweet. Chambers are 2 1/2” barrels are 28”. Don’t have equipment to check chokes and bores on a 28 gauge.
Griffen and Howe has records. Emailed Their research department but my understanding is since Bob has retired n one has been assigned the duties. So far they have not responded back to my email.
Was told by the family that sold the gun that it was confirmed by a Bob earlier records are available and that the Great grandmother had purchased and used to shoot ducks with it???

[CraigThompson]

Thirty years ago there was a fellow at one of the gun clubs I used to belong to and he owned a Francotte 16 not sure of grade etc . But he brought it to the club one Wednesday night for me to see and shoot , at that time I was shooting registered skeet or trap somewhere every weekend practically. Anyway I shot two rounds of skeet low gun with that Francotte using my handloads and broke 49x50 I offered a box or two for him to shoot it but he declined at which point I offered him a grand for the gun , it was in need of a lot of TLC but woulda made an almost perfect grouse gun or atleast that was my opinion . I had no idea what the gun was worth and neither did he but he turned down my offer . I always thought it was a Sidelock but it very well may of just had side plates I dunno either way for sure .

[Bill Murphy]

Most nice Francottes out there today are sideplated boxlocks.

[CraigThompson]

Most nice Francottes out there today are sideplated boxlocks.

The gun I shot at Rivanna GC had been around awhile before I touched it and that was 30-35 years ago .

[Larry Stauch]

I'm sure everyone has seen this little 20 gauge; it's truly a beautiful gun with fiddleback all through the stock ending in a checkered butt. It has a wonderful beavertail forend to boot. The engraving is very nice as well and the gun is reasonably priced. I have no connection to any of these.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/francotte-shotguns/francotte-belgian-20-gauge-like-new.cfm?gun_id=101348465

And then there's this 28 gauge eye candy:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/francotte-shotguns/francotte-28-gauge.cfm?gun_id=101352814

And this pair of .410 sidelocks:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/francotte-shotguns/double-case-set-of-francotte-best-grade-410-double-barrel-shotguns.cfm?gun_id=101351464

[davidboyles]

Pat has picked up a nice collection of Francottes that are fair priced. I own 2 one 20 and one 16 full sidelock would not trade them for anything except a 28 ga AHE!!🤠🤠🤠🤠