Originally Posted by Argo44
Let me have a last go at dating the gun - waiting for FAB:

-- Manufrance - must be post 1885.
-- Ideal? If so must be post 1887.
-- Chambered in mm? We have theorized that in 1889 Saint-Etienne changed to using cm for chamber length so this is an anomaly discussed above. I personally think there should be a decimal between the 6 and 5.
-- It is stamped with the "Cycles" address so must be post 1892.
-- Proofed PJ so probably between March 1896 and 1900 when PT became standard.

-- There's a problem of the SN 4297 which would date to February 1890....if that's a SN and if it's an Ideal....
The number 4297 is stamped in to the wood just above the butt plate and on top. Was this a common location for a serial?