This spectacular example has masterfully executed game panel scenes on the lock plates and on the underside of the bolstered H&H style receiver. The left side plate shows two rhinos in a grassy African environment with trees and shrubs surrounding them. You can even see two small birds riding on the back of the furthest rhino. The right lock plate shows two water buffalo running at full speed in the grasslands of Africa with mountains in the background and shrubs in the foreground. The underside of the receiver and trigger plate are engraved with an elephant in grasslands looking directly at you with only a shrub standing between the two of you. There is also tight floral scroll engraving on the remainder of the receiver and lock plates, on the trigger guard, on the grip cap and on the forearm hardware. The lock plates are H&H style with 7 pins and cocking indicators. The top tang follows the curve of the stock and extends just past the start of the raised shadowline cheekpiece. The barrels have a beaded blade front sight on a short rib with a curved transition to the concave rib and there is a quarter rib at the rear with the same transition, a fixed sight and a flip up blade. The top of the ribs are hand matted. The right barrel is engraved "AUG. FRANCOTTE" and the left barrel is engraved "BREVETE A LIEGE". The bottom of the left barrel is marked ".458 WINCH" and the bottom of the right barrel is engraved "MADE IN BELGIUM". The paperwork states it is regulated for 60 yards. It is fitted with a tang mounted safety, niter blue double triggers with the front articulating and automatic ejectors. Mounted on a beautifully figured, multi-point finely checkered beavertail forearm and pistol grip stock with teardrop flats, a grip cap having a trapdoor with extra front sight inside, a raised cheekpiece, an initial oval and a solid red rubber recoil pad. With correspondence from the original person who ordered the rifle to the factory and from the factory to the original orderer. There is a sheet that lists all the measurements taken of the original orderer so that the rifle would fit, a hand drawn sketch of the forearm and some magazine articles on Auguste Francotte firearms. Also comes with a leather covered takedown hardcase, two leather straps for the case and two keys for the case. Length of pull: 15 inches, drop at comb: 1 11/16 inches, drop at heel: 2 3/16 inches, weight: 11lbs 3oz.

Excellent, 99% of the original blue finish remains on the barrels with a small spot of brown discoloration by the rear sight and a few light handling/storage marks. The coin finished components remain bright with only a few light handling/storage marks. The triggers retain most of the delicate niter blue finish. The wood is also excellent with a few scattered light dings and minor scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with scattered scratches, dings and scuffs along with the label on the inside of the lid starting to peel. A stunning rifle that would surely attract anyone's attention!