Francotte Experts Out There?

[Bob Jurewicz]

I don't know if this will help or not?
It comes from Doublegunshop.com.
Bob Jurewicz

[Drew Hause]

Sweet.
It does not have a lettre annale so was made 1910-1921.
Interesting that it is marked Poudres Pyroxilees. Pyroxile = gun cotton = nitrocellulose.
SO the gun was designed for Nitro powders, but does not carry Smokeless Powder proof. That is not uncommon with Belgian guns built for export to the U.S. Smokeless proof was optional until the Proof House revisions of 1924.
Obviously the Siemens-Martin steel is good stuff. 'JV' could be Joseph Vandalem de Chaudfontaine who made the tubes from Siemens-Martin steel provided by Acier Cockerill Liégeoise

Sorry but no help with the model.
Cornell Pubs has a 1912 Francotte catalog
https://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns...p?item_id=3196

[Dean Weber]

Thanks Bob - I have read that information and I don't see my answer. The side selector and safety is what is throwing me. From my evaluation it is a more modern gun not imported by VLD or AF. Thanks for your assistance, greatly appreciated. I spoke with Stephen Cobb and he is unsure as well.

[Dean Weber]

Drew, I am not familiar with lettre annale. What does that mean?

[Drew Hause]

"Date letters". The year it was proved, not necessarily manufactured



Very similar barrel markings on this Von Lengerke & Detmold import which by the SN would be an 1899 DOM
https://www.icollector.com/Pre-War-F...tgun_i13827911

Your SN DOM is 1903

[Dean Weber]

More pics...

[Dean Weber]

Drew, does the Poudres Pyroxilees mean a direct translation to smokeless powder? There are other Belgian proofs which would be more direct in this translation, correct?