Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive Belgian double barrel percussion fowling piece manufactured in Liège and bearing the CROWN / AF trademark of the renowned Auguste Francotte firm. Built as a practical sporting gun rather than an elaborately decorated presentation piece, it features a 30 3/4" side by side barrel assembly, all iron furniture, a checkered walnut stock, and clearly identifiable Liège proof and Francotte markings beneath the barrels. The gun has been cleaned and restored over the years and now displays a handsome dark patina, while retaining the honest wear and repairs expected from a working percussion sporting arm of the mid 19th century.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

During the percussion era, Liège was one of Europe's great centers of firearms manufacture, producing everything from inexpensive trade guns to finely finished sporting and military arms for markets throughout the world. Belgian makers supplied enormous quantities of firearms for export, and many practical sporting guns were left without prominent maker names on their lock plates or exterior surfaces. This example follows that utilitarian tradition, but its concealed barrel markings fortunately allow the maker and place of proof to be identified.

The gun measures 46 3/4" overall and is fitted with a double barrel assembly measuring 30 3/4". The construction is relatively plain, with iron furniture throughout and little decorative embellishment, giving it the straightforward appearance of a working fowling piece intended for regular field use.

The lock plates themselves are unmarked. Removing the barrel assembly, however, reveals the clear Liège proof:

E
L G
★

in an oval. This is the well known final acceptance mark of the Liège Proof House and confirms Belgian proof. Immediately above it is the distinctive Perron, or Tower of Liège, inspection mark.

Most importantly, the undersides of both barrels are marked:

CROWN
AF

This crowned AF trademark is associated with the Auguste Francotte firm of Liège. Founded in the early 19th century, Francotte developed into one of the best known Belgian arms manufacturers and produced a wide range of sporting, military, and contract firearms. The concealed maker marks make this gun substantially more interesting than an otherwise anonymous Belgian percussion fowler.

The right barrel is additionally marked:

17.0

This is a bore diameter measurement in millimeters and is consistent with a bore in the general 16 bore range based on Belgian sources.

Additional number markings include:

718

This number is stamped on the underside of the barrel assembly and again on the front of the breech iron attached to the stock. We have not confirmed whether this is a serial number, assembly number, or another internal production marking, so it is left unattributed.

The metalwork shows considerable age and service wear and has been cleaned in the past. It now displays a very attractive dark, oxidized patina with scattered areas of surface peppering. We do not see major rust blooms or extensive deep pitting. The overall effect is that of a well used sporting arm that has been preserved and cleaned rather than aggressively polished bright.

Both percussion locks remain operational to a degree, although there are important mechanical issues. Both hammers have a half cock position, but neither side will reliably hold there. If the triggers are pulled, the locks will release from both the half cock and full cock positions. This is a significant mechanical condition issue and is disclosed exactly as observed.

Both percussion nipples remain present at the breech and appear consistent with the age of the gun. They show oxidation and powder fouling together with deformation at their tips from repeated hammer strikes.

The walnut stock has developed a lovely warm color and displays attractive natural grain. The wrist is checkered, although the checkering is considerably worn from long handling and from past cleaning and refinishing.

The stock does not show any major overall structural failure, but there are several repairs and condition issues to note. A grafted wood repair is present on the left side along the wood line near the barrel wedge. There is also cracking around the barrel wedge opening on the right side. These areas are fully disclosed as part of the gun's long service history.

A wooden ramrod is present beneath the barrels, but it is not original to the gun. It is also extremely difficult to remove from the ramrod pipes.

With its concealed Auguste Francotte CROWN / AF barrel marks, clear Liège proof and Perron inspection stamps, long 30 3/4" barrel assembly, handsome walnut stock, practical all iron construction, and appealing aged patina, this is a very attractive example of the Belgian sporting arms trade during the percussion era. Its maker identification gives it considerably more collector interest than an anonymous export fowler, and it would display particularly well in a collection of early Francotte firearms, Belgian sporting arms, percussion shotguns, or 19th century hunting weapons.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1850
Caliber: 17.0mm - 16 bore/gauge
Cartridge Type: Cap and Powder with Shot
Barrel Length: 30 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 46 3/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.