Over past 40+ years, I have worked on numerous guns/rifles, made all over the world, appreciating mechanical aspects of them all. However, I have especially appreciated French guns/rifles, because often I have found that their makers were obviously independent thinkers who enjoyed thinking out of the box. As a result, some of the most creative, interesting designs have come out of France. The only early day Chapuis I had ever seen is same as we see today, and I have found nothing at all wrong with it, though, I must admit, at first it took me by surprise, with the bolting system. They have my full respect, and clearly they use excellent steel, and I would never turn down owning a Chapuis. Nobody, anywhere in the world, makes anything like a Darne double rifle; I like to see something different now and again. For those of you who can't stand anything different, leave the French things alone, for enough of us like them to keep them busy making more. For those of you who turn your nose up at anything French, leave me alone, for I can't stand people filled with various kinds of hate. If most of you knew anything about the history of firearms, you would know that France has a very rich history, I think due to that creative mind they seem to have.