{"product_id":"original-belgian-double-barrel-16-bore-percussion-fowling-piece-by-auguste-francotte-of-liege-with-30-3-4-barrels-circa-1850s","title":"Original Belgian Double Barrel 16 Bore Percussion Fowling Piece by Auguste Francotte of Liège with 30 3\/4\" Barrels, Circa 1850s","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive Belgian double barrel percussion fowling piece manufactured in Liège and bearing the \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ AF\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gun measures \u003cstrong\u003e46 3\/4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall and is fitted with a double barrel assembly measuring \u003cstrong\u003e30 3\/4\"\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plates themselves are unmarked. Removing the barrel assembly, however, reveals the clear Liège proof:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE \u003cbr\u003eL G \u003cbr\u003e★ \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ein an oval. \u003c\/strong\u003eThis is the well known final acceptance mark of the Liège Proof House and confirms Belgian proof. Immediately above it is the distinctive \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePerron\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eTower of Liège\u003c\/strong\u003e, inspection mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost importantly, the undersides of both barrels are marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCROWN\u003cbr\u003eAF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis crowned \u003cstrong\u003eAF\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right barrel is additionally marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e17.0\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a bore diameter measurement in millimeters and is consistent with a bore in the general 16 bore range based on Belgian sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional number markings include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e718\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its concealed Auguste Francotte \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ AF\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel marks, clear Liège proof and \u003cem\u003ePerron\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1850\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 17.0mm - 16 bore\/gauge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Cap and Powder with Shot\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 30 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 46 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Percussion Locks\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loaded\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTE: \u003c\/strong\u003eInternational 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45950481104965,"sku":"ONJR25JYAU157","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/57D5F0C0-A883-4756-BB95-B87CE1A33172.jpg?v=1791398976","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-belgian-double-barrel-16-bore-percussion-fowling-piece-by-auguste-francotte-of-liege-with-30-3-4-barrels-circa-1850s","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}