Francotte

(French: Auguste Francotte & Companie, Liege) was a privately owned firearms manufacturer based in Liège, Belgium.

[1][2][3][4][5] The company was founded in 1805 by August Francotte in Liège, based at Rue de Mont-Saint-Martin 61.

The company was especially active from 1860 to 1914 before manufacturing ceased due to the German invasion of Belgium.

[8] Throughout the period from the middle of the nineteenth century to 1914, Belgian gunmakers like Auguste Francotte made large quantities of rifles and revolvers of the most diverse construction, calibre and size; most, however, were imitations (produced under licence) of other well-known systems (Martini-Henry, Mauser, Smith&Wesson, Nagant).

[1][2] During the first decades they manufactured various arms for various nations around Europe, among others 1,500 M1849 kammerladers for Norway.