doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Manufrance Ideal Type Anglais - Comments anyone?

I believe that this gun has indeed undergone a major "upgrade".
The stock is new. I have never seen a real piece of French walnut with that figure. The wood looks Turkish to me. I am not even sure that the grain at the head is remotely reasonable.
The engraving is highly suspect as well. At the very least, it has been polished.
However, I don't think that "la manu" ever did a low grade Ideal "anglais". And ditto for the (reversed) sideclips. So I think that this was at some point a high grade ideal (or maybe part of one).

As for the swivels, I have a 7RE/C that has them and I am 100% confident that they are originals. The "bretelle automatique" is OK if you don't need to use it for a long period of time. It has to be narrow by necessity, hence it is not confortable.
Many customizations were possible on those high grade Ideal.

WC-

WC, given the reluctance of the seller to show the barrel flats, my suspicions are that it was once "part" of a high grade Ideal. And I'm sure it's a restock.

I can't remember seeing your 7RE/C so it would be nice if you posted a pic or two. The higher grades are rare on both sides of the pond.

Thank you, WC. I was hoping you would chime in.

Actually, my 7RE/C Ideal is at SKB's shop for badly needed repairs.
It has suffered from a lot of issues (many were "bubba smith" induced) and severe corrosion to the the grip tang.
So no pics at this stage.
WC-

Actually, here are a few pics I found, including the swivel.
The 7RE/C is an ejector "As de pique" Perfection grade with short barrels (65cm).
I found it on GB.
WC-

"Ace of Spades". Nice gun.

viva la france! viva la differ ance!

Yes, that is the kind of French gun I would be looking for. Other French guns I find interesting are those w/o barrel ribbing in middle or those with bottom rib missing from the makers shop.

WC, thanks for finding and posting those photos. Don't believe I have seen that one before. Absolutely gorgeous. And no doubt it will be even better when it returns from Steve's shop. That's an engraving style I haven't seen much before.

One of the things I really like about Ideals are the different high grade engraving patterns. Like they let the engraver loose rather than confined his art to "Company Approved" patterns. Very glad I snagged my 6R EE 12 gauge. Now just keeping an eye out for a companion 16 gauge.

I miss the Darne/USA forums that M. Gournet used to maintain. A lot of good information got lost when those forums were shut down. Not very active but a treasure trove of info on Darne and Manufrance guns.

https://drouot.com/l/20784633-?actionParam=recherche

Salut,
Un bel Idéal de 1901