Vintage Firearms Inc

SKU: Francotte SLE 20ga sn90963

Francotte 20 Gauge – A&F, SIDELOCK, 99%, 5lbs. 9oz., CASED,

$22,750.00

General Specs: Francotte, 1969, 20 Gauge, 5lbs. 9oz., Chokes LM/IM, LOP 14 3/8″, DAH 2 1/8″, DAC 1 1/2″
Serial Number:  90963Auguste Francotte is world famous as a high-quality firearms maker from the gun making center of Liège, Belgium dating back as far as 1805. Making fine shotguns into the 21rst Century with price tags topping out at over $100,000, Francotte is a brand recognized and used by heads of state, business tycoons, and in some cases, the fortunate “Regular guy or girl”! This stunning example, serial number 90963 was built in 1969 and marketed through outfitters Abercrombie & Fitch. Abercrombie & Fitch was the most famous name in American sporting goods throughout most of the 20th Century. From their retail store on Madison Avenue, New York City, A&F supplied the needs of America’s hunters and anglers. In 1938 the widely distributed catalogue sang the praises of Francotte, “In our opinion the Francotte, famous Belgian gun adapted by us to the American Sportsman and improved over a period of 50 years, represents real gun value second to none. It is, in fact, an imported hand made gun at an American price. What was true then is still true today. This is a true sidelock with all the BEST GUN FEATURES YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FIND ON A $80,000 GUN IN TODAY’S WORLD, INCLUDING CHOPPER LUMP BARRELS WITH A HAND-FILED CONCAVE RIB, THE FINEST HAND-CHISELED ROSE AND SCROLL ENGRAVING ON A SCULPTED FRAME, COCKING INDICATORS, STOCKED TO THE FENCES WITH BEAUTIFULLY FIGURED EUROPEAN WALNUT INCLUDING SCALLOPED DROP POINTS, 26 LPI CHECKERING, TERMINATING IN A CHECKERED BUTT WITH A 14 3/8” LENTH OF PULL AND FINISHED IN A MATTE HAND RUBBED OIL FINISH.  The workmanship is uncompromised, with perfect wood-to-metal fit and superb screws, the hand-filed components of the action melt together without flaw, and of course, mechanical perfection with a crisp single trigger, intercepting safety sears, high-polished internal components, and a frame and barrel set scaled to 20 Gauge. The barrels are tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face, the ejectors strong and timed, and the engraving still sharp as new. Weighing just 5lbs. 9oz. with 26” chopper lump barrels, the gun is balanced to perfection on the hinge pin, it is Proofed and chambered for the modern 3” shell and choked Light Mod /Improved Mod, this is a gun for the clay fields and ideal for taking upland game if you do your part. THIS IS A TRUE SIDELOCK BEST GUN, AND PRICED TO SELL. A new Piotti, or even a BEST Spanish gun, would cost almost double our asking price on this finest from the Belgium gun world. No longer in business, Auguste Francotte Sub Gauge guns are highly sought after and grand investment vehicles that you can enjoy shooting as they increase in value. The gun comes with a leather case with Canvas cover and accessories. Thanks for looking, and don’t miss out on this BEST gun. Thanks for looking!

 

Barrels
Barrel Length:   26″
Chokes:   .012/.024 LM/IM
Bores:   mirror
Bore Diameter:   .627/.626
Wall Thickness:   .025/.028
% Blue:   99%
Chambers:   3″ factory proofed
Ribs:   tight
Sights:  front brass
Action
Action:  tight centered
Ejectors:   strong, timed
Receiver Condition:   99% case color
Screws:  superb
Engraving:   clear, crips rose and scroll
Trigger Type:   single-crisp
Trigger Guard Color:   99%
Stock
Type:  English/splinter; well figured Euro walnut
LOP:   14 3/8″
LOP To End Of Wood:  14 3/8″
DAH:   2 1/8″
DAC:   1 1/2″
Cast:   neutral
Checkering Condition:   perfect
Butt Treatment:   checkered butt
INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on long guns. If it is a “VFI Certified” gun there is a 90 day mechanical warranty. Call or email us for more details or questions. Thanks! Vintage Firearms Inc
Payment and Shipping
Payment Methods: Credit Card, Money Order, Certified Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer (Advertised price reflects 3% cash discount. Actual price if paid by credit card is 3% higher.)
Inspection Period / Return Policy: Three Days from the date the item was received.
Sales Tax: Collected in CO, FL, MI, WI
Shipping & Insurance: Ground $385.00 within the continental U.S. Additional fees for HI & AK.
Item Condition: Used
Requires FFL?: Yes. We accept C&R licenses for shipping on C&R eligible guns.
Other
Terms of Purchase: Check your local and state laws before purchasing. It is the buyer’s responsibility to confirm his/her right to own the firearm or any item before purchasing.
PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER FINE VINTAGE FIREARMS. View all listings and our full inventory of fine sporting and collectible arms will appear. Thanks for looking!We employ full time gunsmiths on premises and can perform alterations to suit your needs within a few weeks of purchase. Common requests are: -stock bending to suit your particular requirements -addition of any specified butt pad to increase length of pull -alteration of chokes to suit your shooting preferences -lengthening of chambers and forcing cones -darkening stock color with penetrating stains -restoring any part of the gun including rust blue, charcoal blue, bone and charcoal case color, wood restoration and checkering recuts. If you like one our guns but it needs “tweaked”, let us know and we can quote you a time and price. Some enthusiasts like the guns “as found” and others want them “just so”. We often list guns as found and let the particular buyer choose how they want their gun to fit or look.

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