Auguste Francotte .38 Rimfire

This famous Belgian Company was founded in 1810, and was most active between 1860 and 1914, based at Rue Mont Saint Martin 61, in Liege.

As well as retailing their own arms directly - they were a hugely important wholesaler, especially from about 1880, providing revolvers to arms manufacturers and retailers who affixed their own names to these weapons. So prolific was this company that in 1890 over 150 different types of revolvers were being produced by them. Ref Taylerson.

The revolver for sale here today is a hinged trigger pocket revolver made by Francotte around the early 1880’s. Ref Zhuk. It sports the distinctive Francotte external safety/half cock spring on the right side of the frame and carries some clear and interesting markings. See Pics. At first glance one might think that this revolver was retailed in England – it carries a very clear and very English looking barrel address – ‘Henry Richards’... Also clearly marked on the nickel plated frame is AF under a crown over 254 – presumably the serial number. On the other side of the frame is ‘Cart .380’

As this revolver has absolute no British proof marks, then plainly it could not have been retailed here... It appears that the American retailer J.P. Moore & Son, of 302 Broadway, New York City imported guns from Europe and retailed them under the name ‘Henry Richards’. It should be remembered that at this time ‘things English’ were synonymous with quality in the U.S.A, and that only the initials of Francotte appear on the gun rather than the full name as on the example shown in Zhuk's encyclopaedia. Interesting marketing technique!

For completeness, John P. Moore was first active in New York City in 1820 (and may have been the son of gunsmith John Moore of the same place) and continued for a long time as J.P.Moore & Son: 1859-1864, as John P. Moore's Sons: 1864-1888 when the firm was sold.

This revolver retains approx 80% of its original nickel plate on the frame, and retains its original wooden grips which other than some light dings and usage marks are in excellent order. See Pics.

The rest of the metalwork on this piece is blued – and probably refinished at some time, now thinning on its edges and areas of high wear. The 2 inch barrel exhibits pitting, particularly near the muzzle from the blast of discharging, and retains clear and distinct rifling in a good clean bore. Good clean cylinder chambers, with the Belgian pre 1893 proof mark still visible at the rear of the cylinder.

Mechanically the revolver functions in half cock, single and double action, with good indexing, with fully functioning loading gate – cylinder lock up is however poor, presumably due to wear on the mechanism.

The hollow cylinder pin has been replaced with solid steel one, and releasing the thumbscrew at the front of the frame allow the cylinder to be removed quickly, and the pin used as a cartridge extractor if required – rather like the Reichrevolver system.

This antique handgun is chambered for .38 Rimfire cartridges: this is an obsolete calibre as defined by UK law, and this revolver is regarded as an antique as long as it is held as a curiously or ornament - and no licence is required.

Any questions gladly answered, and prospective purchasers should remember that this is an antique but fully functioning item – not deactivated in any way – and is about 125/130 years old: please look at the pictures, read the script and ask any questions before you bid please – not after…

As always – no reserve...

UK SALES ONLY PLEASE.

Please add £12 towards postage, packing and insurance.

© KIRIMON January 2009