This is my 20ga. Francotte "Deluxe Grade" which was received in inventory at Abercrombie and Fitch on October 1, 1930. I was lucky enough to have Bob Beach do a full history of the gun for me, including copies of the A&F inventory book. It was sold to the original owner in 1930 who then sold it back to ANF in 1936, when it was listed as a secondhand gun, grade 140E.

It is a "seven pin Holland & Holland-style side lock action with double under bolts, side clips, and a concealed Greener crossbolt through a parallel sided rib extension."

The engraving is signed "H. Corombolle." Hippolyte Corombolle was a top engraver of the time.

Restoration was done by Steve Bertram, I believe he said the lockwork was among the nicest he'd seen. The previous owner neglected the gun, hence the pitting, but Steve did a spectacular job making the gun right.


[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Last edited by Recoil Rob; 02/09/25 11:32 AM.
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