French SxS - Darne or Charlin or ????

jimmyjazz

jimmyjazz

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I have just come across this French made Side by Side but I can't find a name on it anywhere. The action is beautiful and smooth, like a swiss watch inside.

Does anyone out there know who to get the Barrels off.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Charlin03.jpg
 
Darne

Lucky you! It is a Darne. A most beautiful shotgun and a very peculiar sliding action. Very fast too.
Is it a 16 gauge? I think it can be taken apart when the forearm is first removed then the action opened. There is a way to get the barrels out but I'm not sure if they have to be slid rearward or something.
I'll try to find out. Meanwhile, go there: http://www.gunshop.com/darne.htm
PP.:)
 
Thank you for the link.

It is a 12 Ga., 27" Barrels, I don't know what the chokes are, beautiful walnut, very nicely balanced.
 
I believe it is a Charlin. The metalwork is different. Here are some Darnes:

darne_g.jpg


And here is a Charlin. See the differences?

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The Charlin is a choice upland gun with tasteful engraving, do you know how old it is? 2 1/2 inch chambers, or 2 3/4 ?

In the Darne there is a flat spring in the middle of the action that you push down to allow the barrels to be pulled off. I don't know how it is done in a Charlin.

Sharptail
 
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You're right, Sharptail.
I never noticed the flat sides mimicking sideplates. :redface:
All the Darnes I have seen are rounded and look thinner for that.
Saw two more at the Longueuil gun show on january 15th.
Very nice pieces but, unfortunately, too expensive for my already stretched budget!:(
PP.
 
Charlin

Thank you very much Sharptail.
The barrels came off just as you described.
The metal work is incredible.
It is a 2 3/4" it appears to have originally been 2 1/2" but the 65 has been XX out and reproofed for 70mm. I still have no idea what the chokes are.
Always been an English Double shooter but I might just have to hold onto this, at least until the Grouse season and give it a try.
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Charlin1%20(2).jpg

Charlin1.jpg
 
My LORD that is a beautiful shotgun!!!

How did you acquire it, and I hope I'm not too gauche by asking the price range that would be in? Up there, or WAAAY up there?
 
Another of the beautiful St-Étienne guns. At one time, all the great french gunmakers had an office or a man in that place. They fitted guns for their customers and had the raw actions or barrels made to order by one of the St-Étienne's workshops.
My grandfather's first double was a St-Étienne 12 gauge with sideplate mounted external hammers; I still see that old shotgun with its slender straight stock and engraved hammers. It disappeared one day; I think my grandmother didn't like me to play with it...:(
PP.
 
In the 1980's & 1990's I used to run the LeBaron Gunshop in Ottawa and met a number of collectors and shooters over the years. I met this gentleman way back in the early 90's and I mentioned that if he ever wanted to sell the Shotgun to please let me know.
My last name is unique enough that I am very easy to find, only about a dozen of us in all of Canada. Well low and behold he called me a month ago.
I paid $3000 for it, not sure of the actual value but I think it was worth every penny.

I also picked up a Sauer Royal 20Ga. and a Tobin Model 25.
 
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What a beauty! I became a SxS lover recently. Can't handle O/U anymore!;)
Ammo supply is always a concern. Do you know a shop that carries 2 1/2 inch shotgun shells for my Belgium 20ga? Gamebore is perfect!

Thanks

Martin
 
Sorry Martin I do not have access to 20 Ga. 2 1/2" but I do have a good supply of Eley 12 Ga. shells. I will keep my eyse open for you.

Cheers
 
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