The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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1912 Ideal 10 gauge

Posted by Kris Kehl on January 20, 2022, 6:10 pm

I recently acquired an Ideal 10 gauge, serial number 340873. I have read posts from 2011 on this forum concerning the lowest serial numbers for Ideal 10 gauges. I didn't read where someone was declared the winner, with the lowest serial number. Anyone care to start this contest again 11 years later?

Ideal 10 gauge thread

Posted by Drew Hause on January 21, 2022, 6:06 am, in reply to "1912 Ideal 10 gauge"

https://members.boardhost.com/lcsmith/msg/archive/1346694998.html

Re: 1912 Ideal 10 gauge

Posted by Kris Kehl on January 22, 2022, 1:03 pm, in reply to "1912 Ideal 10 gauge"

Each barrel is stamped H.R.F. under each chamber. Anyone know the meaning?

'HRF'

Posted by Drew Hause on January 22, 2022, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Re: 1912 Ideal 10 gauge"

Heuse-Riga Fils, the Belgian "rough forged tube" maker.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17ixogftgITEblNUWtmFBv96ZvgjK6eFell8GsAWd-KI/edit

Re: 'HRF'

Posted by Kris Kehl on January 23, 2022, 10:09 pm, in reply to "'HRF'"

Do you know when barrels stopped being marked with HRF? Did Hunter source a different manufacturer?

Re: 'HRF'

Posted by Drew Hause on January 24, 2022, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Re: 'HRF'"

It is unlikely that any pattern welded 'rough forged tubes', from any maker, were imported after the onset of WWI. Of course, the U.S. makers, as they were transitioning to fluid steel tubes, used up their stock on hand.
Damascus barrels were not uncommon on post-1913 Ideal and Specialty grades. A 20g Field grade shipped in 1919 is the latest damascus barrel gun Dr Jim has found, but major retailers probably sold damascus barrel guns from stock into the 20s.

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