empirevr
.375 member
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 614
Loc: England,but now Italy.
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http://www.gournetusa.com/darne04.htm
Seen the name written, somehow somewhere.
Odd design!
Ben
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500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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It works though.
Haven't you ever seen a Darne ?
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empirevr
.375 member
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 614
Loc: England,but now Italy.
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Hello Nigel
No cant say i have, sorry.
Amazed that they work with the big stuff, only in the sense that they open via the barrels sliding forward, and the action of recoil is push-pull is it not?
Ben
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xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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Actually, the barrels stay in place and the breechblock slides to the rear. It's hard for me to get used to the idea of a double you can't open and hang over your shoulder when traversing a fence or stopping to relax. The only advantage I can see over a repeater of the same barrel length is that the over-all length is shorter. But then, I have never met a French firearms design I liked.
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500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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empire
Have a look at one and try to handle it.
I personally don't like them but they are amazing
ieces of work, especially the high end ones with'all the engraving.
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empirevr
.375 member
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 614
Loc: England,but now Italy.
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Xausa and Nigel, thanks.
-Look pretty, but in the same sense that im not keen on Blaser, i am not keen on these either.
Though I would post to find out if anyone knew them, and so thanks for the info.
Good shooting to you guys, have a hunt-tastic weekend!
Ben
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JDD
.224 member
Reged: 22/09/04
Posts: 39
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I think it is a early french action. I have seen an old shotgun of same type at a gunshow, it was very pretty. I would be worried about what would happen if the breech failed. It's not a problem for the french, they shoot from behind cover with the firearm held high over their head with face tured away. If the breech were to fail, it would be a good reason to run from the action, and to search for it back at home!!!
JD
Edited by JDD (15/10/07 03:52 AM)
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Chasseur
.375 member
Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!
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As 500 said they are a nice action, they are just not for everybody. Quite strong actually. They make very light and handy shotguns.
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In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli
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mehulkamdar
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
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Ben,
The Darne design dates back to the paper shotshell era and was designed to help in loading swollen shells. Not everyone likes the way they look, and, for a long time they were derided because they were "only" a boxlock, but if you handle them, you would realise that the French had a point, a very good one. I can't remember which shotgunning authority called them "greased lightning" but the description is very apt, if somewhat unusual.
Try handling one of them and you'll know exactly what the gentleman meant.
Good hunting!
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The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.
Mehul Kamdar
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Chasseur
.375 member
Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!
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Mehul,
I'm not if it was Gough Thomas who said that, but he had high praise for the handling and shooting abilities of Darne shotguns.
The things thats kept me from buying one is that the stock does not lead itself well to modifications so you have to find the 'right' Darne for your measurements which is very difficult. Also, to be honest given their very lightweight they are too "whippy" for larger shooters. But they make damn good guys for smaller shooters and women. I've seen a few lady shooters on driven shoots in France that used either Darnes or Charlins that made my shooting look even more piss poor...
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In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli
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zimhunter
.333 member
Reged: 05/02/04
Posts: 388
Loc: Southern Arizona
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The only ones I have any experience with is the current manufacture (within the last few years) 20ga's and they are pure pleasure to handle and shoot. Weird action yes but workmanship is without fault and they are exceedingly trim guns. Only one small problem with them for some reason everybody seems to want what they are worth. Could I afford one It would be my S/S 20ga. I have never seen a PLAIN one don't even know if they make them.
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empirevr
.375 member
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 614
Loc: England,but now Italy.
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Thanks for the enlightenment guys.
I have had some lighter guns, including a 410....super fun but not high in my list of requirements.
-Rat control for youngsters is another matter.(410 etc) and 20g is a game bird gun mostly.
Ben
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FuzzBazz
.224 member
Reged: 20/03/07
Posts: 10
Loc: South East Australia
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Beautiful guns. Very French. The .500NE in the article linked by empirevr looks to be considerably beefed upped compared to the shotguns.
Quote:
http://www.gournetusa.com/darne04.htm
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mehulkamdar
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
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Chasseur,
I still can't remember who described the Darnes thus, but it might have been Gough Thomas as you suggest. It will come to me sometime, but I have no idea when - I'm not growing any younger as you can see. 
Never had the opportunity to get one ofthese modified though I lived very near the French colony of Pondicherry in India and there are several old Darnes knocking about there from the old days. A close friend's brother has one that he absolutely loves and I have played with the gun a bit. Personally, I love them, eccentricities and everything else that they bring along.
A good friend who is an RFD in the UK does get some for good prices from time to time and I am planning to visit him in the near future. Hope to find one that works for me - though any Darne would. If I manage a score of 17x25 at trap, I am usually happy, so fit etc is not as critical for me as it would be for a competitive shooter.
Hope to buy one soon and if I get to meet Ben in the UK when I am there, I'll try to win him over to the dark side. 
Good hunting, everyone!
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The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.
Mehul Kamdar
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empirevr
.375 member
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 614
Loc: England,but now Italy.
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Hehehe,
Yes Mehul we'll catch up in Blighty sometime, but you'll not get far past me drooling over my Rigby!!!!!
Best wishes my friend,
Ben
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mehulkamdar
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
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Ben,
She is a real beauty. You should post pics here and show her off. 
Now that I've let the cat out of the bag, you're going to be under pressure to do this soonest.
Cheers, my friend, and good hunting!
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The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.
Mehul Kamdar
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40574
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Quote:
Ben,
She is a real beauty. You should post pics here and show her off.
Yes please.
And I think the Darne double rifle needs to be uploaded to our archive as well as it is so unusual.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
 ...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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empirevr
.375 member
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 614
Loc: England,but now Italy.
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-I am meaning to get nicer pics but if you can manage it Mehul, go for it!
Best of wishes
Ben
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