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Joined: 16 Sep 2008 Posts: 181

I have been looking at these with the under-lever kind if intrigues me , especially with how rounded the frame is.

Anyone have any comments regarding this shotgun. I know they had them in different grades. What are some basic price points I would expect to see.

Thanks

Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 443

Postoak and Wingshooter should be able to help when they get home from pheasant hunting in Kansas on Thursday night.

sv

Member Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 278 Location: Texas

Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 443

You mean with worms on our tongues? Very Happy

sv

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

No, that's my line,Stevie! Laughing

Joined: 16 Sep 2008 Posts: 181

anyone have any personal experience with this gun?

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

Postoak and Wingshooter own and shoot Ideals in 16bore. Why don't you PM either one or both?

Member Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 500

I'll try and answer any question about the Manufrance Ideal, the grades are from Number 0 to Number 9, with 9 being the highest grade for pre-1936(?) made guns. However some of the early Guns do not have any grade number on them. I have a circa 1905 lunette trigger gun that has nicer engraving than my circa 1926 gun marked as a No 6.

You will also sometimes see an R following the number - No6R - I believe that this means it is "Reinforced" for a higher or Nitro Proof load, and some will have an E for an ejector. I have never seen an ejector Gun in the flesh however.

Around 1936 or so the Ideal went to a 3 digit number such as No 314, the last digit of which relates to the grade number, in this case a grade 4. I am not certain what the first two digits mean. I have seen pictures of a later Ideal marked with No 326 and it was an Ejector gun, the middle digit of 2 may mean an ejector gun gun ? I am not certain.

The actions are as rounded as a Dickson I believe, and are much stronger and simpler than the standard A&D boxlock, IMO. It is a Striker type action with coil springs on the strikers of course.

They were first built in 1887, and the early ones were available with Damascus barrels. The Ideal was made in gauges from 10 to 32, and in rifle calibers also. I saw a .450 Express rifle for sale on a French Website awhile back at 13,000 Euros.

TheWinter 2006 Double Gun journal has a basic article on them.

Price points ? They are worth more in France than here it seems. But if you find once in any grade in good condition under 1200 dollars buy it, and if in a No 4 or higher grade double and triple that amount. There is probably a premium for any gauge other than 12.

These are very very well made guns, with modern dimentions.

Joined: 16 Sep 2008 Posts: 181

how does the safety operate on this shotgun and where is it located?

Member Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 500

The earliest Ideals pre 1900 (?) don't have a safety, I believe the idea was that you just cock the gun with the lever when you are ready to fire.

The later ones have a sliding safety located at the sides of the trigger guard, some slide forward to fire, some slide backwards to fire, and the button is located on each side of the TG.

Here is a picture of one of mine that shows the safety button.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

I have an Ideal No. 3R and although I wish I shot it better (haven't practiced with it a lot), it's got a cool factor that keeps me from letting it go. Light yet robust, sleek, nice engraving, skip-line checkering. the ever-cool retractable sling. What's not to like?

And then try shooting it with 28 ga chamber mates. That's a blast!

Mine came with the original leg o'mutton case, too.

Edit: Mfr date of 1922.

Member Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 500

662 could we see some photos ?

Everytime I see another Ideal I learn a little more about them.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

Let's see if this works.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbM3DZszcOXdQ

Member Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 500

Thanks !

I have the case, but not the cloth covers that you have.

That little gun is in nice condition.

Do you squeeze the lever up to open it? The only under lever guns I have seen were Husqvarna, but they had a lever that was pushed to the side to open the gun. Pretty gun you have there!