Manufrance Ideal?'s - French proof mark?'s

[Mark Dube]

Hello all,

I hope one of you has some info, I have had no luck on the big U.S. boards.

I have just acquired a Manufrance Ideal No.2.

This is the first one I have ever seen, let alone handled.

This is a 16 gauge, with 29 inch fluid steel barrels, straight grip, and splinter fore end.

Do they all have the "retractable sling", the loaded chamber indicators, the unusual fore end latch?

Can anyone explain proof marks etc from photos below, there seem to be both black powder and nitro loads specified, but I can't identify any marks that hint date of manufacture etc.

All assistance greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

 

[WR1894]

Mark
I no expert but in one one book on proof marks the PT mark is standard smokeless powder mark of St Etienne and the 2 marks on the barrels with St Etinne behind them is double proof which was a higher pressure proof. Of what I have read on France proofing had to be done on service rifles but not aways on sporting until the 60's. In the book I have these marks were used from the early 1900's and still in the changes made in 1962 proof laws. I have another reference book on proof's but not sure if there is much on France. I will have a look and see what it says some time
Of the French guns I have seen quite a few had the retactable sling in the butt.
John