Lot 1383

Documented Auguste Francotte O/U Shotgun Owned by Gary Cooper

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Documented Auguste Francotte O/U Shotgun Owned by Gary Cooper

Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

Starting Bid: $10,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Documented Factory Engraved Auguste Francotte 20 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun Owned by Legendary Actor Gary Cooper with Case The included 1976 dated letter from famed Beverly Hills, California, retailer Kerr's Sport Shop, this gun was sold to none other than legendary American actor Gary Cooper on March 12, 1940. Gary Cooper is one of the most famous American actors of all time as well as being a well-known and dedicated sportsman. His thirty-six year long acting career spanned from 1925 to 1961. Cooper was rated as one of the top ten film personalities for 23 years in a row and one of the highest grossing actors for 18 of those years. During his career he struck up a friendship with world renowned American novelist and sportsman Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, with whom he quickly grew extremely close. Cooper was one of the few long term friendships Hemingway maintained and the two spent many years hunting and shooting together until their deaths, less than two months apart, in 1961. The letter further states that on March 27, 1962, this gun, and many other guns and rifles belonging Cooper, were delivered to Kerr's to be sold on behalf of the estate and Mrs. (Veronica) Cooper. The gun was built with blued Cockerill steel barrels featuring a single bead sight (absent) on the matted flat solid rib, "KERR'S SPORT SHOP INC./BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF/CHARLES DALY" engraved on the left side of the upper tube, a single band of engraving at the breech, period Belgian proof marks on the flats, and chambers marked 2 3/4 inches with ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened triggerplate action which displays attractive scroll engraving which surround the "MADE IN BELGIUM" marked on the underside before continuing onto the toplever, trigger guard, and both tangs. The gun features double locking lugs in the standing breech, bolstered fence, a single trigger, and a tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid "S" indicator. The gun is fitted with a nicely figured and multi-point checkered beavertail forend with engraved iron and release as well as a pistol grip stock with hard rubber grip cap, blank silver stock oval, and an added Pachmayr White-Line recoil pad. Includes a pigskin wrapped flat case. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech proofed at 15.4/15.5 mm (.610/.606 inches) and measured .619/.618 inches; choke constriction .011/.021 inches; minimum wall thickness .032/.028 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/16 inch drop at heel; 13 15/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 13 oz.

Manufacturer: Francotte A

Model: Side By Side

BBL: 28 inch solid rib

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 20

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number19183

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Provenance: The Gary Cooper Collection; The Tom Selleck Collection
  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retaining 97% plus original blue and casehardened finishes with light handling evidence and a few tiny freckles of spotting. There is a small crack at the rear of the forend off the iron; otherwise, the wood is very fine with a few dings and scratches and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine. A scarce chance to own a gun from the collection of an American icon!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000