Hi Dave & Doug,
I too am a HUGE fan of Francottes (hence my posting alias) of the 1900-1930 era i would agree with the 14 or 18 grade.
I had a 18 & a couple of 20's side plated guns, one was a beast of a 32'' raised vent rib 8lb 10oz pigeon gun, that I bought from our old late mate Bill Wise...I really wish I had kept that one...it was a cracking gun, but I didn't have the biceps for it
Some of those carved ribband/ribbon/leafy fences they put out are right up there in gun art, they are wicked nice.
Your gun is a box lock, it's not a side plated box lock. Not sure what to do about the worm holes, either try to fix em ala Doug, or take it of & replace, keeping the pad of course.If you are handy, you could do it yourself, depends on how much you want to spend..on the pad, & if you want the stock done etc.
if all is good, I'd try putting a pad on it, & call it a damn nice shooter.
Not sure what can be done about those bottom plate rust pits.
How do the bbls look on the inside, good bbls make or break a gun.
Looks like a lovely shooter if the bbls are good, and no mechanical probs, shame about the odd pits on the bottom of the action body.
keep us posted...may I ask what you paid for it?
Good luck with it Dave
Where are you?..we could perhaps recommend a good nearby gunsmith that knows sxs guns.
Cheers
Franc
