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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 16
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 16 |
Could someone educate me on this double? Any information is appreciated.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,862 |
This will get you started. The Francotte Boxlock replaced the Sauer Sidelock as the VL&D Knockabout. I passed on one a couple of years ago and regret it. That particular one had nice Twist barrels. http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=229207#Post229207If you search "Knockabout" there are quite a few threads.
Last edited by Ken61; 10/29/16 08:20 PM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,071 Likes: 72
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,071 Likes: 72 |
Marketed by VLD, good solid gun, unadorned by much engraving, plain wood.
I have owned two over the years, both francottes, and found them to be good guns. If I could never have afforded better guns both would have been enough for a lifetime of hunting
Michael Dittamo
Topeka, KS
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
I would recommend you contact Griffin & Howe as they have the VLD records. This shotgun may be able to be researched. Jim http://griffinhowe.com/researchyourfirearm/
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,573 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,573 Likes: 165 |
Francottes are high quality guns, and their original prices reflect that. In the 1936 Abercrombie & Fitch catalog (successor to VL&D), a Knockabout with ejectors cost $175. That's slightly less than a Parker DHE listed for, and significantly more than an LC Smith Specialty, an Ithaca 4E, or a Fox CE.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,451 Likes: 278
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,451 Likes: 278 |
Interesting point, Larry. When I first haunted the Abercrombie and Fitch seventh floor in 1961 when I was 15 years old, a large hole Francotte Knockabout was $425 as was a field grade Model 21. At the time, a Grade 1 Superposed was about $265. The wood on all three was painfully plain. On my first visit to the store, there were two AA Grade Parkers in worn condition for $600 and $650. Today the Francotte would be about $1500, the Model 21 would be about $4000, the Super would be $1200, and the Parkers would be around $20000 each with a little freshening. All these estimates are for high condition 12 gauge guns, except for the Parkers.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 647 Likes: 9
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 647 Likes: 9 |
From a working gun perspective- I own a forerunner of the Knockabout, which was built in 1891. These were VL&D boxlocks, not stamped Knockabout. The gun I have is balanced well and has terrific triggers, some engraving, and well built 30 inch damascus barrels. It is a good shooter, bored IC and IM. It has 2-5/8" chambers, now with long forcing cones. I like Francottes of this era.
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