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No worries, I'll do it when I get back home (I'm still in India for another two weeks).

They were a high quality double and had various grades, with the high grades with nice engraving etc. The wood and wood working (like most classic French guns) tends to be rather modest/plain by British standards. However, the hand work required to make the action etc. was eventually the downfall of the gun, they were too nicely made for the price point in the market and were eventually dropped by Manufrance (they did try a combination Robust-Ideal etc. as well).

It comes from this book which is a must for those interested in Ideals:

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I know I am coming to this thread several years late but....

I currently own a higher grade Ideal and have bought (and sold) another three. Perhaps the most ergonomical shotgun out there and as has been noted, the incredibly simple action is known to be extremely strong.

They were made continuously (except for during the wars) between 1888 and 1985, not a bad run. Total production of the Ideal is around 85,000 to 95,000. Exact figures are impossible to come by because of changes to record keeping after WWII. The pre WWII production was 72,000. So not "rare". Manufrance (like most of French industry) was mostly happy to service it's home market, unlike the English whose economic might was founded on trade. So most of the output from Manufrance (950,000 Robusts - a conventional boxlock - alone!) still reside in France. Much like the way we don't find many Parkers or Foxes in Europe, but there are lots in NA.

As far as wood goes??? I think chasseur has been looking at lower grade guns. Here's mine:



Like many large concerns, Manufrance had the ability and resources to make what their clients wanted.

And Ideals weren't "dropped" by Manufrance. Manufrance effectively closed up shop. MF was both a manufacturer and a retailer and by the mid 1980's their problems were far greater than the hand labour involved in producing Ideals.

I would not buy a "Lunette" the double trigger guard model. Made from 1888 to 1908, they are clumsy and difficult to use with gloves.

Edited by canvasback (05/01/17 03:51 AM)

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