doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Looking for shotgun gunsmith recommendation

I just bought a Francotte A grade sold by Von Lengerke & Detmold in 1903 at auction.

The gun has experienced some neglect. There is some insect damage to the horn buttplate. Very slight rust on the side plate. Blueing worn off the muzzle between the barrels. Stock tired.

I'd like somebody to fix or replace the buttplate and to freshen up the rest.

I have a number of guns with the horn buutplate that has worm holes. I would just have it cleaned up and if stable use as is.

David, IMHO if you feel adventurous I would fill in the worm damage with black dyed AcraGlas "[Gel]" and file and shape to fit. You can do this yourself. If the wood needs some redo stem out the dents and lightly sand the stock with fine sand paper and use something like Timberlux to refinish. It is not rocket science! I happen to be a big Francotte fan and own a big collection (2)your's looks to be what I would refer to as either a 14E or an 18E, I don't know enough to say one way or the other. I will say that Francotte's are my favorite.

Doug, I just bought the gun last night, but I already corresponded with Griffin & Howe (which has the Von Lengerke & Detmold sales records), and got this reply:

"Francotte 38377:

The shotgun was received at VL&D and entered in their inventory on October 13, 1903. No. 38377 was described as a model �A� in 12 gauge with 30 inch barrels, a straight grip, 2 inch drop at heel, and weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. That�s the only information listed.

On July 20, 1904 Francotte 38377 was sold to David Longenecker in the NY store. That�s a fairly common name, especially in PA, and I haven�t been able to further identify the buyer.

Here is a list of the pre-1910 models:

Basic Models

Nimrod � hammer gun
KnockAbout � utility grade hammerless
No. 1 � non-ejector hammerless boxlock
No. 2 � non-ejector hammerless boxlock
No. 3 � non-ejector hammerless boxlock, Damascus barrels
No. 3A � non-ejector hammerless boxlock, Siemen-Martin steel barrels
�X� Ejector - ejector hammerless, Siemen-Martin steel barrels

Pigeon Ejector (Trap Ejector) Models

�A� - ejector hammerless boxlock
�B� - ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock
�C� - ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock
Special Trap Ejector - ejector hammerless


Featherweight Models

Hammer Featherweight� lightweight hammer gun
Special � non-ejector hammerless
Quality �I� - ejector hammerless
Quality �II� � ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock
�AA� - ejector hammerless boxlock
�BB� - ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock
�CC� - ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock
�DD� - ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock
Eagle - ejector hammerless sideplated boxlock


Single Barrel Models
.
Single Barrel Trap � non-ejector and ejector hammerless



Here is a description of the Model �A� also called the Quality A is early catalogs.

Quality �A� � This model represented a higher quality gun with better fit and finish than any of the preceding models. The �A� grade was built with an Anson & Deeley action and had the ejectors, intercepting sears, and �Quintuple Wedge-Fast� locking arrangement described earlier. Barrels were made of �hardened chain Damascus steel�. Siemen-Martin steel became available by 1901. Made almost exclusively in 12 gauge (there was one 10 gauge gun received in inventory), the model �A� was available with 26, 28, 30 or 32 inch barrels. The barrels had a �chased breech� � the small areas of pyramid shaped engraving at the base of both sides of the barrels adjacent to the standing breech. Weight was between 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 8 pounds. Retail price of the model �A� was $175.



"

�According to the auction house, this one weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces.

David,
That nice gun has potential, a diamond in the rough.
Karl

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

My recommendation for a gunsmith is Steve Barnett in Colorado. High quality work. He understands and appreciates doubles.

Leave it alone and shoot it. Please.
JR

If it were mine I�d clean it up, lubricate, and stop right there. It is what it is and none of the cosmetic flaws affect it at all. Don�t even think of �fixing� rust spots on action and floor plate. Might fill the worm holes in buttplate, that�s a very easy fix. But you�d gain nothing by replacement and it would always look like a replacement. Let it carry its scars with dignity. Though subject to disagreement I�d be inclined to lightly oil the horn plate with neatsfoot.

PS: Lovely gun!

The auction house, at my request, looked and assured me that the bores are fine.

I'm a bit embarrassed to tell you how little I paid for it. Clearly, I was the only shotgun aficionado following the auction. My bid was only the second bid. I was astonished that it sat there and sold at that price.

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/46032057

I'm in Central Pennsylvania.