Auguste Francotte Questions

[WHO]

I have the opportunity to purchase this gun in the near future. Right now all I have are these pictures to go on. It appears to me that the monobloc barrels are not factory original. It also looks like the stock was nicely repaired at the wrist. Any opinions or observations would be greatly appreciated. Any idea of approximate year of production and value?

[Bill Zachow]

It's a shooter only with little collector value. Monoblocked, wood repaired and probably pinned, action a trigger guard heavily polished, and the screws buggered.

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

Despite having a few warts it is still a very nice looking shooter from a respected maker. I think a ballpark number might be 600.00 to 700.00 if it locks up tight. Of course, having the gun in hand would be the best way to know for sure. The only real negative that I see is what appears to be a broken lower rib in the area of the monoblock.

[Bill Murphy]

I like Francottes, but not that one. What's that broken rib all about?