Mark,
You probably know that your barrels are of the highest quality available:
What you probably don't know -and I didn't either until I looked it up just now- is the
meaning of this proofmark I had never seen before on an Idéal, Crown over D between MF:
I'll get back on this after I mend a gaffe I have made.
All "Idéal Perfection" were with sideplates (not so, my mistake). I am sorry for my mistake in grading
yours. This sideplated model was made during a period on "anglomania" and there were
both field models and pigeon guns.
During 1921 the following grades were in use:
0 - 1 - 2 - 2/R - 3/R - 4/R -5/RE - 6/R - 6/RE - 6RE/E - 7RE/P - 9/P - 9/PE -
9RE/A - 205 - 206 - 208 - 210 - 9C/R - 10C/R - 12C/R
Now back to the special proofmark. Sometimes during manufacture some guns were chosen as special ones called "Bis"
and were give to their best engravers and fitted with stocks made from their nicest blanks. The guns thusly finished
were given the approval of the "Directeurs de la Manufrance". That is the reason
for the "D" between MF (ManuFrance).
In short you have a very, very special Idéal! Again congratulations.
JC
