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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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simonsaorsa
.300 member


Reged: 11/05/06
Posts: 172
Loc: UK
Darne of France back in production
      #107687 - 19/06/08 08:00 AM

Check out www.fusildarne.com to see the double rifles, combination guns and shotguns being offered again using the unique(?) Darne sliding breech system by this French manufacturer.

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: simonsaorsa]
      #107688 - 19/06/08 08:38 AM


Wow, that will set the world on fire !!!

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9.3x57
.450 member


Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5521
Loc: United States
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: 500Nitro]
      #107693 - 19/06/08 11:30 AM

I've never shot one, but I did handle one a bit and I really liked it.

Anybody used one??

--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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peter
removed


Reged: 11/04/07
Posts: 1493
Loc: denmark
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: 9.3x57]
      #107698 - 19/06/08 05:36 PM

yes i have, it takes a bit getting used to but after that it really is a slick lightning.
super gun, what i couldent get used to were that i dident have the usual angle on the gun when i should reload, lost a few pheasants on that account.

peter

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tinker
.416 member


Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: simonsaorsa]
      #107701 - 19/06/08 06:17 PM

This iteration of the Darne brand has been running for quite some time now under the present management of Bruchet.


I had for years wished for a high grade Darne in 28b
One day while shopping for something else (not nearly in the price range of a smallbore high grade Darne) I found a goregeous example in nearly as-new condition.



I dug deep, past the lint in my pockets, and bought it.
It was light and lively with an 'ultra magic wand' kind of feel. The action was simple and elegant, and the metalwork and wood/metal fit was amazing.



I shot the gun very well, and it had a really sweet feel from carry to point, I'd still have it if it weren't for one pretty significant detail.

There's no practical way to carry the gun 'open' with as quick and intuitive a gesture as I can with a hinged, break-open gun.
The tail end of that breech block will cut you quick and deep, so carrying it with the breech block in the open position is a potentially treacherous proposition. Carrying it closed, with the safety on, is a quick way to make the members of your hunting party very nervous.
In short, the sweet little exotic honey of an art piece just wasn't practical for field work here in the states.

I ended up trading it for a smallbore boxlock ejector rifle and haven't looked back.

The design is sexy and the guns are really nice in the hands, but for actually getting out in the woods and hunting with them in the company of others, there's a safety perception issue that's more than enough to nudge the hand of choice to grab something more conventional from the vault when it comes time to head out for the hunt.


--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...

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mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: simonsaorsa]
      #107771 - 21/06/08 12:11 AM

I have never owned a Darne but I have handled them and they are lovely to handle. The experts here who have, have more than given a superb analysis about their qualities, something to be expected on this forum.

One US expert called them "greased lightning" some years ago, and if you can look beyond the hashed metaphor, that is the truth about them. They are unconventional and for a long time they were knocked because they were "mere boxlocks" but that hardly tells us anything. The French have a different way of doing things and that is to be welcomed. Uniformity is not a good thing.

It is a positive development IMO that Paul Bruchet and his sons were given the rights to use the Darne name after a long time. He kept the flame alive long after the Darne family had decided to get out of the business and aloso developed the double rifles AFAIK as well as designed the selective ejectors that the top grade Darnes come with these days.

Beautiful guns! If you want one, go ahead and buy it and enjoy yourself.

Good hunting!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

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BigFiveJack
.333 member


Reged: 25/12/05
Posts: 256
Loc: Half hour North of Tampa Bay F...
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: tinker]
      #108138 - 25/06/08 03:05 PM

Tinker,

You've said it perfectly.

I'd love a 5 pound 3 ounce

12 bore with 2 inch chambers

built in the UK decades ago

as my main pheasant gun to

follow a dog with...

--------------------
Cordially,
Jack

NRA Endowment Member
DRSS Member

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tinker
.416 member


Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Darne of France back in production [Re: BigFiveJack]
      #108142 - 25/06/08 03:43 PM

Jack-

*To all, please excuse this moment of threadjacking*

I'm with you on the two inch twelve bore lightweight field gun.
I used to pick this one around with my father (who lusted for a high grade 28b) noting the distinct advantages of the light twelve bore, he agreed, but stuck to his long lived desire for a smallbore hunting gun.
Since the Darne I've satisfied the 28b itch with a nearly perfect condition signed, addressed, high grade Lefaucheux from 37 Vivian Road.
It's one of my absolute favorite guns.

On the 2" 12b, my preference is for a Scottish gun from ages gone by.
Just haven't had one cross my path at the right time yet...


--Tinker

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...

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