Francotte 32095 - 08/02/20 06:54 PM
Ghostrider,
Francotte 32095 is a bit of an enigma. While the serial number is from a gun built about 1900, the proof marks are, as Skeettx suggests, from the mid 1960’s – certainly from the period well after 1900. Von Lengerke & Detmold in Manhattan, NYC began to import Francotte guns in 1889. Importation continued through the purchase of VL&D as well as VL&A (Chicago) by Abercrombie & Fitch in 1929 until about 1960 when they were replaced by less expensive Zoli-Rizzini guns. The commonly encountered “numbered” Francotte models such as 14, 20, 25, 30 and 45 Eagle actually began in 1910.
It appears to me that your gun is a Grade No. 2 that was built just before 1900. The Grade No.2 was an Anson & Deeley style boxlock non-ejector side by side with “Quadruple Wedge fastening” that included two Purdey-style under lugs, an exposed greener cross-bolt and a doll’s head rib extension. The model No.2 also had intercepting sears (note the small screw immediately behind each of the balls of the standing breech) and Sieman Martin steel barrels (although Damascus barrels were available up until 1900). The gun was available as a lightweight Game Gun or as a heavier Trap or Pigeon gun. In 1910 the grade No. 2 became the basis for the grade No.14 with the addition of automatic ejectors. The price of the Grade No. 2 between 1900 and 1902 was $100. The Grade No. 14 (which included ejectors) in 1910 was priced at $140. If you will review my post in “Educate me on Francotte SxS’s” in the FAQ forum of this site you will find a list of all of the Francotte models imported by VL&D/A&F between 1900 and 1977 when A&F closed.
The reason that I believe that your gun was built before 1900 is that the serial numbered Francottes that are a few numbers higher than yours were received at VL&D in 1900. But why would the gun have proof marks from a much later date? It is possible that for some unknown reason the gun was built about 1900 but remained unsold at the factory in Liege, Belgium until someone found it and decided to send it to the proof house in 1963.
I am sorry but I will be unable to answer any other questions because I am abandoning this site until the children are sent to their rooms.
Bob Beach
Francotte 32095 is a bit of an enigma. While the serial number is from a gun built about 1900, the proof marks are, as Skeettx suggests, from the mid 1960’s – certainly from the period well after 1900. Von Lengerke & Detmold in Manhattan, NYC began to import Francotte guns in 1889. Importation continued through the purchase of VL&D as well as VL&A (Chicago) by Abercrombie & Fitch in 1929 until about 1960 when they were replaced by less expensive Zoli-Rizzini guns. The commonly encountered “numbered” Francotte models such as 14, 20, 25, 30 and 45 Eagle actually began in 1910.
It appears to me that your gun is a Grade No. 2 that was built just before 1900. The Grade No.2 was an Anson & Deeley style boxlock non-ejector side by side with “Quadruple Wedge fastening” that included two Purdey-style under lugs, an exposed greener cross-bolt and a doll’s head rib extension. The model No.2 also had intercepting sears (note the small screw immediately behind each of the balls of the standing breech) and Sieman Martin steel barrels (although Damascus barrels were available up until 1900). The gun was available as a lightweight Game Gun or as a heavier Trap or Pigeon gun. In 1910 the grade No. 2 became the basis for the grade No.14 with the addition of automatic ejectors. The price of the Grade No. 2 between 1900 and 1902 was $100. The Grade No. 14 (which included ejectors) in 1910 was priced at $140. If you will review my post in “Educate me on Francotte SxS’s” in the FAQ forum of this site you will find a list of all of the Francotte models imported by VL&D/A&F between 1900 and 1977 when A&F closed.
The reason that I believe that your gun was built before 1900 is that the serial numbered Francottes that are a few numbers higher than yours were received at VL&D in 1900. But why would the gun have proof marks from a much later date? It is possible that for some unknown reason the gun was built about 1900 but remained unsold at the factory in Liege, Belgium until someone found it and decided to send it to the proof house in 1963.
I am sorry but I will be unable to answer any other questions because I am abandoning this site until the children are sent to their rooms.
Bob Beach
