The seller sent me a PM some years ago, noting my enthusiasm for Ideals and offering me the gun before listing it publicly. I believe I had met him previously at Tusla, and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with him (I did not see the gun at that time).
I believe I noted some pitting on the fences in the pics he initially sent, and had a bit of a conversation with him about what I saw, which does not now show in the listing pics.
The myth of self-opening Ideals, the fore end condition, toe "repair," and other points have been touched on. Thanks to my comrade in arms (James) concerning one of my little soap box issues- the grade stamping on the tubes. The French term comes across google translate as "palm," and it it much easier to say at one syllable. However, anyone who has handled them can clearly see it is a wreath of laurel leaves, much akin to the etymology of Stephen (Stephanos).
In addition to what's been noted, it is an ejector, not the usual extractor model. There are some serious scratches on the barrels, but even though she's been opened up (damage especially to the top strap pin/screw slots), it appears to have escaped the damage almost always done to the top strap inletting through uninformed disassembly.
As to the bores, in my experience with obviously untouched guns and barrel sets in the white, BWT comes in consistently at .038, and bores in the 16's overwhelmingly a little on the overbore size, usually .669. So I note the smaller than typical bore diameter, but still good wall thickness. While the listing says "factory original finishes," the case colors are too good for the condition of the wood, and would typically have been cyanide. There is also a lot of finish in the checkering, and some other issues with the finish that would cast a doubt or two on finishes being original. Perhaps Wild Cattle, The LaManu Sage, will weigh in.
The gun in question needs a lot of work to get it to an acceptable state, and for me, I would be averse to going north of two large in current condition.
That's what I think,
Mike
