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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

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--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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