doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Manufacture Fracaise, D'armes 16 Ga. Pics

Manufacture Francaise, D'armes & Cycles in De Saint Etienne,
France....Ideal model, 16 ga., side by side...retractable sling
Factory engraved... case hardened, and leather case etc..
I need someone to tell me where or who can tell me the value
of this gun... very slight handling marks on the wood...
and some of the bluing is worn right where your fingers contact
the barrel.. s# on receiver is 496xx
Let me know if you photos if specific markings...
Thanks a bunch

I have no experience with Manufrance's products but an excellent article can be found in the Double Gun Journal, Winter 2006 edition. From what I've read, they are an excellent gun, if a little unusual. Enjoy.

Cary

Love those Ideals. Darnes too. The French design all things differently, Citroen comes immediately to mind. Their offerings to the mid 70's (my last experience) across the entire model line were innovative, efficient and funky beyond belief. Look at Mas rifles as well. The French do all things their own way, food, clothes, shoes. The Opinel knife is immensely popular there, that's one I don't get, but you have to give them credit for the rest of it.

I thought I was looking at a gold label for a minute.

Beautiful gun. I bet it handles beautifully too.

Rihm,
496xx is dated 1924.
Barrel flats and action pictures would help valuation.
The grade information is important. It goes from 1 to 9 with possible additional letters.
Best
WC

I think the grade is 6, I'll check when I get home
Can I assume 1 is the best?

I think the higher the grade number, the higher the grade/quality. Your gun looks nothing like my Grade 6 Manufrance Ideal. My grade 6 has a "solid" action body (no bbl. lumps come thru the bottom) and also has a completely different engraving pattern. Does your gun have a number indicating its grade stamped/engraved anywhere on the action?
You have a very nice example of a Manufrace Ideal by the way. I like your guns engraving pattern, fits the gun well.

Dustin

Check under the buttplate, a couple of M/F Robusts I have had a date stamped in green ink. French made shotguns are really under appreciated in general. Check out this one made by MAS, 16ga, nice wood, auto ejectors, good workmanship

Rihm, very nice example of a great French double.

WildCattle, what could you say about mine:


Serial # on action is 76930 and the one on the bottom of the action is Nº328. I have never been able to determine its date of manufacture or grade.

JC(AL)

I am not an expert but I have a 2r with Lunette trigger guard. The higher the number the higher the grade. Mine is from around 1900. I have seen a grade 6 and it was more ornate then yours and the lumps did not show through the bottom. I would guess yours is between a 3&5 it should say on the lumps or flats etc.
I paid $1000 for a pristine exaple with 100% case color and bluing but a 2r. I recently looked at a 3r for $1200 in very good condition. Yours I think would sell for between $1200-1500.
If you wwant to sell it please let me know.

Jeff G.
njscuba1@optonline.net