2203

*REMOVED* FINE AND ULTRA RARE FRANCOTTE ROUNDED BODY OVER-UNDER SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,250.00 USD Estimated At:12,500.00 - 17,500.00 USD
*REMOVED* FINE AND ULTRA RARE FRANCOTTE ROUNDED BODY OVER-UNDER SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER
SN 25710. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 29-3/4" Demi block bbls with narrow, file-cut, solid game rib, are engraved "Auguste Francotte" and "Brevete a Liege" on either side of top bbl. Bottom bbl is stamped with Belgian nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Unusual low profile action (under lug of bbl engages cutaway rotating hinge pin) has double locking bites at top of breech and features rounded action bar, automatic ejectors, non-automatic safety (S inlaid in gold), and Francotte's single selective trigger, with sliding selector switch in place of left trigger. Action and lockplates are engraved with nearly full coverage lightly, but cleanly cut, large, shaded scroll. Pivot of blued top lever is relief engraved "Rasetti Buenos Aires" (The firm of Carlos Rasetti, importers of fine firearms, was established in 1857 and continued in business until the early 1960's). Beautifully marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 13-3/4" over serrated wood butt, and features diamond hand, point pattern checkering with double line borders, and a gold oval on toe line engraved with monogram "KR" over crossed hatchets. Matching 3-piece ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: top -.671, bottom -.671. Bore restrictions: top -.024 (strong modified), bottom -.019 (modified). Wall thickness: top-.022, bottom -.023. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs. 5 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". Modern high quality leather toe under case with stitched leather corners and snap canvas outer cover, which is also leather trimmed, is lined in scarlet cloth with gold embossed leather Francotte label, and contains a key. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain 95% orig blue, with some minor marks and silvering on edges of rib, and at muzzles. Action retains 80% orig case hardening color, silvered on bottom from normal handling and use. Lockplates retain nearly all of their orig case hardening color. Top lever and trigger guard retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig blue. Stocks show some wear to their orig oil finish at grip and forend, from normal handling and use. Checkering is slightly worn, and a bit dirty. There are a number of minor marks on both buttstock and forend. Bores are excellent, shiny, with a hint of frosting and some minor marks at breech ends. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. Case is excellent. Outer cover has some slight discoloration and scuffs. Some minor marks in outer leather. Interior cloth is very fine with some minor tears and rubs, mostly from contact with bbls. An unusual small bore. 4-47091 MGM5