Francotte .22lr/.410ga.

**TStone** · 07-09-2024, 12:15

I received this Belgian made Francotte rifle/shotgun combination as a gift. .22lr/.410ga combinations are not unusual, there are a lot of Savage Stevens combinations floating around as well as some Spanish copies of that gun. This one, however, is somewhat different. It is a side lever, folding (sometimes known as a poacher's gun), over under hammer gun. The right hammer and front trigger, fire the upper, .22lr, barrel and the left hammer and rear trigger fire the bottom .410 bore (65mm) shotgun barrel. Barrel length is 26".

I am not sure of the gun's age, maybe someone here can help with that info, but I would guess that it is from the early 1900's. It has been well used but the action still locks up tight. Despite the rather primitive sights, the .22lr barrel is quite accurate, if I do my part, I can consistently hit a 2" square offhand at 50m. The .410 barrel throws a tight enough pattern at 25m, with #6 shot, to take birds or small game like hare at that distance.

**oafpatroll** · 07-09-2024, 13:25

What a nice little thing. I was offered something similar recently but it had a skeletonised wooden stock. I haven't seen another quite like it.

**Heath Robinson** · 08-09-2024, 06:23

Nice!

**Louisdewet** · 08-09-2024, 10:03

What a cool gun to just take for a walk. Feeling nostalgic about younger days spent roaming around the veld with a windbuks or 22LR.

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**BBCT** · 08-09-2024, 23:39

I've got the Stevens/Savage version but that is way cooler than mine!

Savage/Stevens made a vast variety of permutations between shotgun & rifle calibres but the one I would like to own is the 20ga/.22 hornet. One was sold on a Classic Arms auction about 20 years ago and I still regret not buying it.

I've also got a folding side by side .410 folder/poacher side lever gun of unidentifiable manufacture with Belgain proof marks - similar to that mentioned above but with proper stock, not skeletonised.

I love these quirky guns!

**DaavG** · 09-09-2024, 08:18

Wow, that looks like a proper amount of fun! Beautiful gun!

**Sweet** · 09-09-2024, 11:08

Originally Posted by BBCT

I've got the Stevens/Savage version but that is way cooler than mine!

I am glad that BBCT said what he said before I commented, because this is way cooler than the Stevens/Savage guns....and to put some perspective onto that statement, those are way cool in themselves!

You have got a very interesting little blaster there, Mr TStone! Cannot wait to hear more about your adventures with it!