Hey Mike...we went through this on the "Dating 20th French Shotgun" line above. The old saw that the French only chambered guns for 6.5 (65mm) until after WWII has been decisively disproven. Here are a few more guns with 7.5 chambers contemporary to the Manufrance above...a dozen more with 7.0 cm chambers from that time period could be posted.
7.5 cm chamber: And this is interesting: An 1890-1912(?) 18.2 guage G.Peyron hammer gun chambered for 7.5 cm. Barrels by Marsot. "Double verrou,levier à volute" à platines "en avant" dont on trouve déjà des modèles dans des catalogues de 1884,mais il doit en exister de plus anciens car le "Levier à volute" existait déja sur des Lefaucheux
Didier Drevet barrel dated 1924; 1924 - 2?871 (or 1?871 ??); gun number 1080 for gun labeled "Excelsior." (per other ads for Excelsior's in the period which are chronologically serial numbered apparently). 10 gauge ( 19.2); chamber: 75mm (chambered in mm)(3"). modèle EXCELSIOR .
http://www.naturabuy.fr/Fusil-juxtapose-Artisanal-Francais-occasion-Calibre-10-item-2824879.html
1885-1889 Manufance under lever hammer gun; 75mm chambers; 17.4 (14 gauge). Manufance was founded in 1885; the chamber is in mm thus 1889 or earlier.
http://www.naturabuy.fr/Fusil-juxtapose-...em-3799057.html
Pre 1885. Saint Etienne under lever hammer gun Martinier Collin; 19.6 (8 guage - ad says 10 gauge but I think 10 gauge is 19.2); 80mm chambers; (Martinier and Collin founded the company which was sold in 1885; Their assistants then bought the company which ultimately became Manufrance.);
http://www.naturabuy.fr/rare-fusil-juxtapose-chiens-calibre-10-saint-etienne-item-2376357.html
The ad says it is a Manufrance Ideal Jones underlever hammer gun tested for PP Pyroxillees powder; SN 19416; Cal 10; "80 mm chambers." Barrels are “Ideal” Hercule 3 Palmes demi-bloc. The ad claims that it was only available by special order overseen by the director of the workshop himself and would date from the period 1906-1914. In subsequent queries the seller mentions it was stamped Manufacture d'Armes et Cycles de Saint- Etienne. He blurs some pictures and cuts others off - Barrel flats can't be read, etc). (In fact chambers are 7.5 - see photo)
http://www.naturabuy.fr/Fusil-Cal-10-Manufacture-Armes-Cycles-Saint-Etienne-item-2206991.html
And my favorite that I regret I missed: 75 mm chambers (pre-1889)....barrel 76cm.
https://www.rouillac.com/fr/lot-233-79107-fusil_chasse_percussion_centrale_chiens?p=9FUSIL DE CHASSE à percussion centrale, chiens extérieurs, deux coups, calibre 12-75 (18). Canons damas juxtaposés de 76,5 cm de Didier Drevet. Platines gravées " L. Chalet à Saint Etienne ". Crosse en noyer quadrillé, marquée sur une pièce de laiton aux armes couronnées de Poncins.
Dans un étui jambon en cuir " Count de Poncins ".
Fabriqué en 1887.
N°5275 - 1887. Poids : 3,370 Kg.
5è catégorie.
Adjugé : 750 €
