Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman are in this book “The Francotte Dynasty”.
For more detail see: The Francotte Dynasty
Auguste FRANCOTTE
Here is what seems to me to be a carabiner or at least
a short rifle: in the absence of basic and indispensable data such as the total
length, the length of the barrel and the diameter of the barrel, smooth or
rifled, it is difficult to try to be accurate...
It could also be a weapon reconditioned for
export...
The wand does not seem original to me but later since it looks very much like
that of a gun of about 11 mm caliber.
The initials
AF crowned
on the barrel and the presence of the ELG stamp on a star in an oval lead us of
course to the house of
Auguste FRANCOTTE
(founded in 1810) and the proofhouse in Liège (this stamp was used from 18 May
1811).
We also see on the lock the letters IG surmounted by a
crown, which I could not identify.
GP
Auguste FRANCOTTE
The Francotte rifle Moddel 1842 for Switzerland
History
Around 1839/1840, the Swiss government ordered weapons
from various Belgian gunmakers, including the Model 1842 rifle.
Among others, the Francotte company was contacted and
manufactured numerous rifles of that model, along with prototypes and
pre-series.
The presented rifle was purchased from Francotte by the
Liège Museum of Arms in early 1891, among a lot of 500 various weapons as
described in the list herebelow.
The rifle was Registered by the Museum under n° 2000
(marked on the forewood).
Later on, in 1928, the rifle was sold to gunmaker Jules
Pire of Antwerp (session dd 20.07.1928 - info received from the Liège Museum),
possibly because the Museum owned one or more doubles.
The marks:
ELG* in oval: final acceptance stamp until 1893.
Letters X and L in cursive on the barrel : this mark
refers to barrel maker family Xhrouet, located in Nessonvaux since the 18th
century.
Almost all parts are marked "crown over AF", which
belongs to gunmaker Auguste Francotte.
All other stamps remain unidentified.
Thanks to Max for this deep research.
Auguste FRANCOTTE
Infantry rifle marked A. FRANCOTTE Liège.
Calibre
17, gun length 1200mm, barrel length 810mm, weight 4.100kg.
Millimeter precision sight. Special feature of this model: the springs of the
rings are on the left. I have never seen the equivalent.
The metal
parts are all stamped exactly the same. There is the stamp of Savoie
(Switzerland) on the butt.
John Doe
Auguste FRANCOTTE
Swiss cantonal militia rifled musket M.1842/59 for artillery and engineering troops ("Sappeur-, Pontonier- und Parkartilleriegewhr Modell 1842").
This variant of M.1842/59 is much more difficult to find than standard infantry rifle. The latter is slightly longer and has all steel furniture. The rifle was manufactured by August Francotte of Liege, as indicated by markings on the lock plate and on the left side of the barrel. The right side of the buttstock displays Francotte's cartouche with "Crown over AF" (fading). Cantonal militia markings and crests are stamped on the barrel along with some other markings, "GH", "ZHS Zurich. 342". "GH" markings are also stamped on the right side. Rear sight adjustable to 700 paces.
Text and photos of "COLLECTIBLEFIREARMS" with my grateful thanks.
Musket Auguste FRANCOTTE
Photographs friendly authorized by "COLLECTORSFIREARMS"
Francotte
Swiss smoothbore cadet musket.
Basically, a scale-down version of the infantry musket. Manufactured by August Francotte of Liege, as indicated by markings on the lockplate and barrel. Three barrel band configuration. All brass furniture. Canton Vaud (Waadt) markings are stamped on the back of the barrel. There are also several other numbers and proofs stamped on barrel, bands and stock.
Photographs friendly authorized by "COLLECTIBLEFIREARMS"
