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Joined: Mar 2003
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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Hello all, I have recently acquired a Manufrance Ideal with a level of embelishment I have not seen before.

I have owned a few Ideals over the years and all were easily identified by marking on the face of barrel lug where it protrudes through bottom of frame. This particular gun does not have lugs which protrude through frame.

The gun is a 12 gauge with 29 inch barrels, straight grip of gorgeous colour & character walnut. Fences ornately sculpted, and besides the usual decorative scroll it has game scenes engraved on each side and bird(?) on trigger gaurd.

I look forward to your comments, specificaly any information you may have on date of manufacture and grade.

Thanks

Mark




















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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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A couple more




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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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I don't know what grade it is but it's very nice indeed.

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Sidelock
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"nice one cyril"
looks like a smashin gun mate
loverly stuff
I love them carved fences very much indeedy, as the rest of it.
franc

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Sidelock
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Mark, can't answer your question but want to say what a lovely gun. Good find!

Regards,

James


The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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Sidelock
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I can't tell you the grade either; but all examples I've seen had the grade noted on the barrel lug, which this example does not have. I can tell you that the number of wreaths stamped on the barrel flats indicated barrel steel quality; the more wreaths stamped, the higher the gun grade. This example has 5 wreaths, and I believe recalling engraver Geoffry Gournet telling me that the highest quality Ideals had 7 wreaths. This is obviously a higher grade than my #4 with 3 wreaths; but I'm guessing not quite the highest grade.

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Sidelock
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Hello Mark,

I can say without a doubt that it is a "Very Nice Grade", congratulations on your find!

Seriously, if you give me the serial number I can give you the year of manufacture
and what grades were made in that year.

Best,

JC
P.S.: Pictures of barrels just front of flats will give the proofs it was submitted to. jc


"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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Sidelock
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Thanks JC,

I have PM'd you the SN

Here is a photo of the proof marks on the barrel



Mark

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Sidelock
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Mark, your Idéal was made in 1921 when a total of 1,308 Idéals were made.

It was proofed to 1441kg per cm2 and as it says on the barrels, using 20 grammes of
black powder (Poudre Noire Forte Nº2) and 120 grammes of Nº8 lead shot.

It is a real beauty!

BTW, does the rubber recoil pad have the Manufrance Logo and is the retracting
sling in good working order?

JC


"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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Sidelock
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Wow, thanks again JC!

There is no MF mark on the pad that I can see, it is a bit dilapitated though, it appears to me to be a Silvers pad.

The retractable sling works perfectly and leather is 100%

Is there a book or reproduction catalog for these guns?

I'd like to learn a bit about it....

Mark

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