I need help with a robust No26-E 16ga. that I own. If possible, I would like to know the year of manufacture of this shotgun. The number of the shotgun is 133383. Here are some pictures. Any help will be much appreciated.


http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv130/nek69photo/rob1623826ec.jpg[/img] http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv130/nek69photo/rob1623826ef.jpg[/img]

Very nice Robust, with ejectors no less. I think it's choked modified and full and has standard proofs. I don't know when it was made, but others on the forum might be able to help. Wish I could find something like that here, and had the $$$ to buy it when I did.
Steve

69: as i recall, i read some where that the robust model number is also the year of manufacture. so, a model 26 was made in 1926? nice looking gun. wee wee...

well, not exactly right. seems like the model numbers are linear by year... the first ones were made in 1913. that was the model 1. so, a model 26 was made in: 1913, plus 25, equals 1938?

see: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=259500 for more about robust guns.

Has to be post-1924. That's when "normal" was added to the French proofmarks. Would also have to be after France joined the CIP, because the 850 kilos is the required standard CIP proof pressure. Prior to that, St. Etienne guns carried a different proof pressure mark: crossed palms enclosing a crown, on the underside of each barrel forward of the flats. But I don't know when France adopted the CIP rules, although I think it was post-WWII. The visible "step", where barrels meet the monobloc, indicate that it's not one of the last Robusts, because those guns no longer had the "stepped" barrels.

Nice gun, and appears to be in unusually good condition.

What a nice gun; just enough of everything: triggers, barrels, "bore size," scrolls, and all.

It's hard to believe that the Robust is a French hardware store gun.
Steve

rock: if like the way their hardware store guns look, you should check out the gal at the cash register. ou la la...chassie la femme!

In terms of quantity produced, the Robust is certainly the equivalent of the Stevens 311. However, in terms of quality, that Frenchie is way out in front.

Nice gun... my next Fine Gunmaking column will be about a Manufrance Robust.

Hello Nek,

Surely Manufrance can tell you more about your very nice Robust.

JC

Looks like they're making Robusts again . . . maybe. The text indicates that they're designed and assembled in the Manufrance shop. Suppose the parts, or at least some of them, may be made elsewhere.

There were so many things I liked about the Robust (Costo) that I had. It was a 12 gauge with 27" barrels and yet only weighed 6.5 lbs. It had 2.75" chambers and wasn't fussy about ammo. It had a large trigger guard with enough space between the triggers so I could wear gloves and still shoot it. The stock, while rather plain grained, had very nice fiddleback. It also had enough cast-off that I couldn't hit chit with it! I sold it to another board member several years ago (don't worry jOe I paid Dave) and I'm hoping that it's been a good gun for him.
Steve

1931. That's the year with dual grades 26E and 238.
The grades numbering system changed that year.
The 26E cost 1150FF in 1930 or about the same as a cookstove or a sewing machine.
A #6 Ideal cost 2000FF without ejectors.
That's a good one...
M-