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Sidelock
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Mark,

You probably know that your barrels are of the highest quality available:


What you probably don't know -and I didn't either until I looked it up just now- is the
meaning of this proofmark I had never seen before on an Idéal, Crown over D between MF:


I'll get back on this after I mend a gaffe I have made.

All "Idéal Perfection" were with sideplates (not so, my mistake). I am sorry for my mistake in grading
yours. This sideplated model was made during a period on "anglomania" and there were
both field models and pigeon guns.

During 1921 the following grades were in use:
0 - 1 - 2 - 2/R - 3/R - 4/R -5/RE - 6/R - 6/RE - 6RE/E - 7RE/P - 9/P - 9/PE -
9RE/A - 205 - 206 - 208 - 210 - 9C/R - 10C/R - 12C/R

Now back to the special proofmark. Sometimes during manufacture some guns were chosen as special ones called "Bis"
and were give to their best engravers and fitted with stocks made from their nicest blanks. The guns thusly finished
were given the approval of the "Directeurs de la Manufrance". That is the reason
for the "D" between MF (ManuFrance).

In short you have a very, very special Idéal! Again congratulations.

JC

Last edited by JayCee; 06/17/11 11:18 AM.

"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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Mark,
WOW! That's some find. How did it come your way?
Sometimes the story behind finding the gun is as good as the gun.
BTW, the way the dogs are integrated with the bold scroll
is really quite striking.
Congratulations on a fine gun.
-jim

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Sidelock
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This is the book the information is coming from:


The top gun in the inserted photo is an "Idéal Perfection".

The Perfectionne on your barrel flats refers to the type of choke (which are full
and modified).

Sorry for my previous mistake. I shall try to find what grade yours is.

JC


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Sidelock
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JC, absolutely no appology necessary, thanks for your assistance.

Any chance the "7" at the very front of the barrel flats would indicate the grade? I have seen no similar mark on any Ideal reference I have found.

Is that book in current production? Is there an ISBN #? Is it "en francaise"?

Twister's Pa, thanks. No exciting story, but I'm still thrilled with the find.

Mark

Last edited by Mark Dube; 06/16/11 10:37 PM.
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Sidelock
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A Wonderful Ideal - and with Ejectors too !


I have a circa 1906 Ideal with Lunette triggers that is sans Grade Marking also - I would guess it to be a Grade 5 in comparison to another I own that is a Marked Grade No 6.

Yours is much more finely finished than my No 6 is.

Last edited by postoak; 06/16/11 10:50 PM.

Mine's a tale that can't be told, my freedom I hold dear.


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Sidelock
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Mark, your gun could perfectly be a 7RE/P, a grading that was used in 1921,
the E being Ejector. The R usually designated Cannon Rayé or Rifled barrel
(the right one and used for dispersion of the shot) but yours doesn't seem to
have such option.

The book's ISBN is 978-2-9128-4875-8

It is in french and mine was bought in France by a friend.
Amazon France has it.

Here they also have it with the rest of M. Mournetas' books.

I also discovered that on 31-May-2011 at 19:49:01 in Paris, a copy of a 1921 Manufrance Catalogue was sold for Eur71.-
I sent a message to Corinne, the seller, to see if she can give me the contact of the buyer who in turn, looking at
your Idéal's photos and his catalogue, could be able to identify its grade. Hopefully I'll get a reply.

Don't you love the times we live in!

JC


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I must correct my self again concerning the "Idéal Perfection":

There were/are four Types of Perfection, two "Type Français" round bodied, one
field grade and one pigeon grade and two "Type Anglais" with sideplates and
an angled action also in both grades.

If you go to this online 1910 MF Catalogue and scroll down to page 84 you can see them.
It takes some time to load.

JC


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Sidelock
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I'd say this is 6REE.


Geno.
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Sidelock
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Looks great! How does it shoot?


What is it about these old guns that draws us in?
www.firearms4sale.com.au
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Mark, of the several barrel flats of Idéals I have seen there is only one that has a
number like yours up front and it is coincidental with the grade (9P).
I know the photo is not the greatest, but I think I see a "9" there on both barrels:


JMHO.

JC


"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
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