Darne action

[fat tony]

For some reason there is not a lot on this side of the pond on the history of the Darne shotgun action. Seems these shotguns are as common as dirt in France & the continent of Europe. Of course there is between sfa and nothing available on the history of the various Darne actions which seem to be (to me at least) a beautiful melding of great design, quality of materials & sheer manufacturing brute force. In my understanding there were a number of variations all sort of 'linear' in operation. Surprisingly little info on them even on the internet.

Again to my understanding they were (and possibly still are) made in plain, various intermediate grades, all the way to ' only Dr. Evil can afford' grades.

On this side of the pond they seem to go for exorbitant prices regardless of grade, and are far more likely to be seen in the USA. I guess like Armscor of the Phillipines they have largely abandoned the Canadian market for their own reasons.

I suspect it is not viable to get one. The usual suspects: 'exclusive Canadian distributors' but I digress.

Other than scattered sources like shotgunworld forums, is there another quality reference available either offline or say the Australian nitro express forums?

Thanks, Tony.

Edit: the only time I ever saw a French double gun even vaguely similar to a Darne action shotgun in Nova Scotia was a Manufrance (?) S/S .410 shotgun in a 'poor man's' grade in the early 1980's. I do not recall if it had a Darne action or a tip up style action. What I do recall is that it had linear strikers instead of the more common swinging sidelock style hammers.

The wondrous mysteries of France.

 

[canvasback]

Tony, go on Double Gun forum and look for a guy named Ted Shefflebein. He was the US distributor for Darne for about 10 years and knows more about them than anyone else in NA.

Not much about French guns mostly because as an industry they didn’t care much about exports. Had a large and vibrant home market. Similar that way to the US market. We know about the US because we are attached, but you see very few American guns in Europe or Britain. It’s the same with France. Tons of Darne and Manufrance in France. Rare everywhere else. True for all French guns.

i own a very high grade Manufrance Ideal, likely the best in NA, and have bought about half a dozen over the years. Nothing like a Darne. Round action but no top lever. And yes, linear hammers. First brought to market in 1888 and in continuous production excluding the war years until 1985. The design may be the simplest and strongest break action yet created. And wonderful to carry.

I forgot. There are also a few books you can get but you neeed to be able to read French.

Also Manufrance folded in 1985. Darne more recently after a variety of owners. It’s not the “exclusive Canadian distributor” problem ( having been one I’m sensitive to the misunderstanding that many hold about what distributors do). It was more the “not viable parent company” problem.

 

[fat tony]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated. I had a crazy idea of making a mini Darne action firearm.

 

[catnthehatt]

Darnes are so cool ! I have a buddy with one in 20 gauge, truly amazing shotgun action!
Cat

 

[saskbooknut]

I think a Darne is definitely a taste to be acquired, but I never did.
They are a beautifully made piece of machinery, but no substitute for the ever reliable top lever double.
I have seen a few of them in Canadian Gun shows. The most likely one is the big Calgary Show in the Spring.

 

[canvasback]

I think a Darne is definitely a taste to be acquired, but I never did.
They are a beautifully made piece of machinery, but no substitute for the ever reliable top lever double.
I have seen a few of them in Canadian Gun shows. The most likely one is the big Calgary Show in the Spring.

I think the people who own and use them might take issue with that statement. Just because a design is widespread doesn’t necessarily make it the best design. It may be that it was championed by the best marketers. Or mismanagement by the patent holders of a better design stopped that better design from widespread adoption.

 

[gunsaholic]

I have the base Darne R10. It is indeed a joy to carry and a very reliable gun. However, these are guns that should be tried before purchase ,more so than other double barrels, because there is a good chance one may find that it doesn't fit their particular build.
Also, one has to be aware if looking for a Darne that there was the original Darne designed by Regis Darne but there was also a Fransique Darne which I believe was the eldest son of Regis. Many do not consider a Fransique Darne shotgun to be of the same quality and usually do not have the same value. In fact there was a Darne sold on here last year described as a Regis Darne but it was not. There was also one sold by a known dealer that was described as a Regis Darne but again, it really was a Fransique Darne. So one needs to really do some checking.

 

[saskbooknut]

The market decided, a long time ago, that the top lever design was superior. The best British gunmakers bought in the patents.
The Darne is a curiosity, for those who march to a different drummer.
Not saying it doesn't work, just that it is not widely appreciated.

 

[a j cave]

Fun and interesting. Only had one, it was in mint shape when the owner left Europe, left his guns with a cousin. It was beat up with surface rust when it got here . Trust family. Would be a fun action in a small cal or gadge.

 

[canvasback]

Tony, you may find this interesting.

http://doublegunshop.com/darne/darne-info.pdf

 

[Westward1]

Tony, you may find this interesting.

http://doublegunshop.com/darne/darne-info.pdf

At least shotgun makers are consistent. They have all been making claims about less recoil, harder hitting, better patterns and stronger actions for a long time. At this point shotguns should be weightless, no recoil,will kill a bird as far as you can see it and last forever. I am sure I missed something.

That said, they are neat looking guns. Although reloading looks awkward, I would think it would be a task soon mastered.

 

[canvasback]

At least shotgun makers are consistent. They have all been making claims about less recoil, harder hitting, better patterns and stronger actions for a long time. At this point shotguns should be weightless, no recoil,will kill a bird as far as you can see it and last forever. I am sure I missed something.

That said, they are neat looking guns. Although reloading looks awkward, I would think it would be a task soon mastered.

Bwahahaha! So true.

 

[Ashcroft]

Had a Charlin, basically an improved version of the Darne. Beautifully made, attractive and interesting. Not as convenient to load as a break action gun nor unload because either one requires both hands, not one hand and a thumb. Thay also feel awkward to carry when not in battery because they don't hang over your arm like a break action gun. Might be fine for those who normally hunt with a pump or autoloader. Even in France they are pretty much a cult follower type gun now like the Manufrance Ideal which I have also had and much prefer except for their miserable safety.

 

[Longwalker]

I have a friend in Manitoba who regularly hunts with a 20 ga. Darne, and he loaned another one to me to try during spring snow goose season a couple years ago. That gun was lively in the hands, had very elegant lines, fine engraving and was a 16 ga. I killed 5 geese with 6 shots, pass shooting with Kent tungsten Matrix #5's. And then he offered it for sale. I'm still kicking myself a little for letting it slip away...

 

[marshall]

A few years ago , I had a nice one in stock, Hardly anyone knew what it was , they all thought France, Belgium low line crap.
One hell of a tough sell, I had taken it on trade, so did not know the history before, but it was a higher grade, but it was not a good fit for him or me.
I could have add a 1/2 " pad, would have fit me, but at the time I had one I liked better. Finally sold it (cheap) It was a well built lovely gun.
This is cowboy gun country, that was the main problem

 

[gunsaholic]

A few years ago , I had a nice one in stock, Hardly anyone knew what it was , they all thought France, Belgium low line crap.
One hell of a tough sell, I had taken it on trade, so did not know the history before, but it was a higher grade, but it was not a good fit for him or me.
I could have add a 1/2 " pad, would have fit me, but at the time I had one I liked better. Finally sold it (cheap) It was a well built lovely gun.
This is cowboy gun country, that was the main problem

You ever get another one your are selling cheap let me know, lol!

 

[canvasback]

Had a Charlin, basically an improved version of the Darne. Beautifully made, attractive and interesting. Not as convenient to load as a break action gun nor unload because either one requires both hands, not one hand and a thumb. Thay also feel awkward to carry when not in battery because they don't hang over your arm like a break action gun. Might be fine for those who normally hunt with a pump or autoloader. Even in France they are pretty much a cult follower type gun now like the Manufrance Ideal which I have also had and much prefer except for their miserable safety.

Much as I love just about everything about my Ideal, it's hard to imagine a worse safety. I don't love that!!

 

[jimmyjazz]

Had a Charlin, basically an improved version of the Darne. Beautifully made, attractive and interesting. Not as convenient to load as a break action gun nor unload because either one requires both hands, not one hand and a thumb. Thay also feel awkward to carry when not in battery because they don't hang over your arm like a break action gun. Might be fine for those who normally hunt with a pump or autoloader. Even in France they are pretty much a cult follower type gun now like the Manufrance Ideal which I have also had and much prefer except for their miserable safety.

I too had a Charlin 12 Ga, mid grade engraving.
It was a nice well made shotgun but not as convenient as a top lever gun, but I did like enjoy shooting it.
Sold it about 15 years ago and oddly enough it showed up in a local gunshop about 5 years ago and a friend bought it and still has it.

 

[straightshooter]

I have a friend who's always wanted a Darne. I went to the Bud Haynes auction when it was still in Red Deer and there was a high grade example there that appeared almost unused. In the off chance that there would be one there, my friend had given me a $1000 budget to bid with (not taking into account the fact that there might be a really nice one in near perfect condition). I went a little over budget because I was sure my friend would have wanted me to do so, but I dropped out at $1100 (plus buyers premium and tax, of course). The gun sold for $1150.

 

[gunsaholic]

About a year ago or so there was a Darne listed for sale. I can't remember if it was on here or another forum. It was around $4500.00 and was not listed for very long before it sold.