Ted, in addition to the numbers John posted above: Ithaca made 225,000 guns, just during the Flues years. Fox was just shy of 200,000 sxs produced. And Parker, LC Smith, and Ithaca all made more doubles than Fox. If you're going to cite a French maker for volume, you'd be much better off using Manufrance rather than Darne. But I will join you in defending the gun's esthetics and action. I've determined they're not for me (the R-14 now has a new owner), but I do think they're attractive, and clearly well-made.
Manufrance.
Approx 74,000 Ideals between 1888 and 1939. Unknown number between 1946 and 1985 when MF shut down.
Approx 950,000 Robusts between the introduction in the 1920s and when MF shut down in 1985. More than all of Ithaca in just one model.
Those weren't the only SxS they made and they made pumps, semis and single shots as well.
And a field grade Robust is miles ahead in quality to any hardware store gun turned out by the likes of Stevens or Meridian.
I think it's pretty likely that without the excessive tariffs, the European and British gun industry would have eaten America's lunch. Clearly the makers and politicians of the time thought so as well. That's why the tariffs were in place.
