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Good gun Gil..and I think the dog is actually a Saint Bernard without the keg. What good wood there is in the stock...and 70mm chambers - so much for the mantra that French guns were all 65mm until after WWII. I think we've put that old wives tale to rest.

Thanks, all. Gene, the barrels are 70 cm. As it turns out, the chambers are 70 mm. 27.5" for the barrels; 2.75" for the chambers. The flats don't specify 65 or 70 leaving it up in the air if it came that way or it was modified. If the dog is a Saint Bernard, the absent keg must've contained Slim Fast. Gil

Nice one, Gil. Is that one going to outshoot Floyd's 25" SKB?

SRH

Stan, it's the Indian vs. arrow concept. Floyd could out shoot me with him wearing a blindfold regardless of any gun I shoot. Gil
P.S. I figured you'd like the chokes.

Engravers are artists, with varying degrees of talent. Also, the art can be and is often influenced by the world view, cultural milieu, and other eddies and currents that carry the artist and their clientele. Most of us have seen a similar interpretation of dogs and birds on other guns. I had one from England made in the 1880's with very similar execution of birds and dogs. Monet and the other impressionists are seldom scorned for their skill as painters, yet exquisite works by nonconformists of the day such as Alma Tadema and Bourgereau are sniffed at by collectors and critics.

What I found interesting and unique about Gils's gun when I first saw it was indeed the engraving. Way out of the box for La Manu, and as James pointed out, most likely a customer request. Granted, the execution of the engraving is not in line with typical MF work that I have seen. But it's really unusual, IMO "good enough," with a beautiful stick and according to James (who lives and dies by the barrels), near perfect tubes.

Well done Gil!

Mike

Yep, I've got a friend like that, too. He doesn't shoot competitive clays, but he can run a 25 straight at skeet, from the hip, in ......... 60 seconds flat , with one gun. I've seen him do it, timed with a stopwatch. He can also run a straight on skeet from the hip, one handed, while riding a bicycle. Needless to say, you don't want to be close to him on a dove field, or in a duck hole.

Yeah, the chokes will work. You ought to pattern that full barrel with a spreader to see what it does. Might be handy in the switchcane for a second shot.

SRH

The 302 was the entry level grade in the mid 30's.
Those guns did not have any engraving (or maybe some on the action balls and rib extention).
It seems like papy Mougeot (equivalent of Bubba) went to town on that one.
It certainly does not look factory at all.
All the same, it is a nice gun.
WC-

Chris Dawe worked his refinishing magic on it (including re-cut checkering to 28 lpi) and it will be here in a few weeks. All with more than a little help from my friends. Honey and smoke. Thanks fellas, you know who you are.





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This gun is sitting about 10 feet from where I type write now and it has turned out beautifully. Chris Dawe, as Gil noted, has really brought out the beauty in this wood. I thought it was going to be nice when we sent it to Chris for refinishing but this wood is just perfect. Not over the top for the rest of the gun but just where it should be to make one ogle. We found, thanks to Winhshooter16, an original MF buttplate in darn nice condition so the gun has really come together.

Each time I have anything to do with Chris Dawe I could not be more pleased with the quality of work. This chequering is waaayyy better than how it left the factory.

I like it so much I can barely bring myself to send it on it's way but we got the paperwork today and so, on to Gil it goes. Gil, if you decide it's not for you, send it back to me!

The Manufrance Team scores again.

Mike