doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Manufrance Simplex

I have a few more pictures to post now. From the previous discussions, there is an 8 stamped on all the stock, action and barrel. I suspect this is an earlier version of the later Model 86. I did determine from some of the sources and the copy of Godio's book I picked up that this gun has been doubled proofed at the Manufrance factory. It is fitted with the optional Hercule barrels (the lowest class of them but still rather expensive for the time) and the safety trigger. I forgot to try the action with snap caps but I suspect they are automatic ejectors.

One thing I haven't pinned down is the date. The serial number data has been removed from the Gournet site, and I would like to see a copy if anyone has it.

My pictures are no better than the ones from the auction site, but I will say that the gun really does look much better in person than any of the triggers.

The only flaw I found was a small repaired crack in the bottom of the wrist that seems secure. I plan to pin this with a 1/8" rod and epoxy across the grain. I will install it to a point below the surface and plug it with a dot of black epoxie (shows less than a brown).

The barrels are smooth and shiny inside. The insides are very clean with no wear at all. Use wear seems very minimal. Given the overall appearance, I have a hard time believing the barrels have been honed, but they do measure .669 which is a little large for a 16. The barrel internal diameter is not marked so I can't really say. Choke is .025. Barrel wall thicknesses are ridiculously thick as many St Etienne guns are. They are .060-.070 behind the chokes, .08-.12 in the rear barrel, .15 at the forcing cone and .25 chamber walls. LOP is 13-3/4", DAC 1-3/8" and 2-5/8" DAH. Chamber is 65mm and barrel length is 700mm. Weight is 5#-9oz. The sight picture is very good. It should be a lot of fun on a lazy dove day.

Besides the stock pin, I plan to clean the barrel in and out, steam out some of the stock blemishes and rejuvenate the finish, then call it good. It should be fine to go.

Welcome comments on the pictures.