Darne Shotguns

B

bulric

Well-Known Member
Hi All,

Posted something similar on another forum, so apologies if you've seen it twice! But maximum opinions are welcome on this one.

So I've always fancied a Darne shotgun. Fascinated by the mechanism and how unique they are.

I'd want it in the V spec (or the high end Rs), but I've never seen one go for a good price (Holts appearances always seem to runaway), so...

-are they nice to shoot (16g in particular)

-are they good guns in general?

-are they (in your opinion) worth the £ premium?

-am I a mad man for wanting one?
 
I've always had a thing for these guns myself . I have shot a friend's high end R11 quite a bit , a really well put together shotgun . Unfortunately , he will never sell it as it belonged to his late father , although he has let me use it on a number of occasions . I've had an eye out for one for a number of years , but they are very scarce in this part of the world . Personally , I don't think you're mad for wanting one ......................... unless we're both mad ............... and I don't care , I still want one .

AB
 
The fine wood and engraving on a top-end Darne is a pleasure, but it's not really what you buy one for. If the prices of the smart ones feel a bit steep, therefore, why not start with an unadorned one, see if you like it, and then fork out for a smart one if you do? You will still get to have the experience of something a bit different.
 
alberta boy said:
I've always had a thing for these guns myself . I have shot a friend's high end R11 quite a bit , a really well put together shotgun . Unfortunately , he will never sell it as it belonged to his late father , although he has let me use it on a number of occasions . I've had an eye out for one for a number of years , but they are very scarce in this part of the world . Personally , I don't think you're mad for wanting one ......................... unless we're both mad ............... and I don't care , I still want one .

AB
Click to expand...
Yes, same boat! I do imagine such light weight things weren't the fashion over there though.

Mr. Gain said:
The fine wood and engraving on a top-end Darne is a pleasure, but it's not really what you buy one for. If the prices of the smart ones feel a bit steep, therefore, why not start with an unadorned one, see if you like it, and then fork out for a smart one if you do? You will still get to have the experience of something a bit different.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is sensible. However, I know what will happen, I'll buy a plain one and then regret not getting a posh one!
 
www.guntrader.uk

Darne Shotguns for sale | Guntrader

Explore our wide range of new and used Darne Shotguns, suitable for all levels. Browse our listings to find the perfect gun.
www.guntrader.uk www.guntrader.uk

www.gunstar.co.uk

Darne Shotguns for Sale - Gunstar

Browse Darne Shotguns for sale from our community of shooting enthusiasts on the UK’s #1 gun marketplace. Search, buy and sell Shotguns on Gunstar today!
www.gunstar.co.uk

www.emma-rifles.co.uk

DARNE 12G SIDE BY SIDE SLIDING BREECH SHOTGUN. - Emma Custom Rifles

DARNE 12G SIDE BY SIDE SLIDING BREECH SHOTGUN. BEAUTIFUL CONDITION 12g Side by Side None Ejector Sliding Breach Shotgun from Darne in France. A little research would show this to be a Model R in Grade 14. (4 DARNE stamps to the barrel flats). The serial number being quite low and putting...
www.emma-rifles.co.uk www.emma-rifles.co.uk

And many more if google
 
VSS said:
Then you will end up with two.
Problem solved.
Click to expand...
And probably divorce!

sh1kar said:
www.guntrader.uk

Darne Shotguns for sale | Guntrader

Explore our wide range of new and used Darne Shotguns, suitable for all levels. Browse our listings to find the perfect gun.
www.guntrader.uk www.guntrader.uk

www.gunstar.co.uk

Darne Shotguns for Sale - Gunstar

Browse Darne Shotguns for sale from our community of shooting enthusiasts on the UK’s #1 gun marketplace. Search, buy and sell Shotguns on Gunstar today!
www.gunstar.co.uk

www.emma-rifles.co.uk

DARNE 12G SIDE BY SIDE SLIDING BREECH SHOTGUN. - Emma Custom Rifles

DARNE 12G SIDE BY SIDE SLIDING BREECH SHOTGUN. BEAUTIFUL CONDITION 12g Side by Side None Ejector Sliding Breach Shotgun from Darne in France. A little research would show this to be a Model R in Grade 14. (4 DARNE stamps to the barrel flats). The serial number being quite low and putting...
www.emma-rifles.co.uk www.emma-rifles.co.uk

And many more if google
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links, but they're all on the lower end of the scale. Also the Emma rifles one is beyond over priced!
 
The spectrum for Darnes is vast, as they have been at different times -indeed simultaneously at times- a serial producer and a high-end artisanal concern. Some of their work is therefore spectacular, some very accomplished, and some just good-quality, no-frills gunmaking. However, if you closed your eyes, you would have to concentrate pretty hard to tell them apart from the feel of their actions and triggers, and their general poise, alone.
 
Years ago having never heard of Darne I went to a gun show and the chap who was at that time running the company had a stand. I was really impressed with the novelty and quality. The new ones he was producing were London gun prices so no hope; I spent a few months looking around and couldn’t find a good one. Then through the power of Google came across this site:

Fusils Darne juxtaposés, achat neuf ou occasion | NaturaBuy

Nos fusils Darne sont proposés au meilleur prix, avec des modèles neufs ou d'occasion, avec possibilité de paiement en trois fois sans frais.
www.naturabuy.fr www.naturabuy.fr

It took a wee while and lots of google translate but managed to buy a beautiful V22.

I’ve used it on and off since and love it. It’s super light but 30g of No6 is not an issue at all, it’s a pleasure to use and always a talking point at shoots.

They are very French and so a bit marmite but I love mine. It’s a little slow to reload so probably wouldn’t be good on a busy driven drive but a real pleasure if you’re happy to shoot at a slightly slower tempo.

This is the one I bought if the link will work. Looking now, the prices seem to be going down rather than up over the channel but I’m not sure post Brexit how difficult it would be to get one sent over.
 

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Jim xyz said:
Years ago having never heard of Darne I went to a gun show and the chap who was at that time running the company had a stand. I was really impressed with the novelty and quality. The new ones he was producing were London gun prices so no hope; I spent a few months looking around and couldn’t find a good one. Then through the power of Google came across this site:

Fusils Darne juxtaposés, achat neuf ou occasion | NaturaBuy

Nos fusils Darne sont proposés au meilleur prix, avec des modèles neufs ou d'occasion, avec possibilité de paiement en trois fois sans frais.
www.naturabuy.fr www.naturabuy.fr

It took a wee while and lots of google translate but managed to buy a beautiful V22.

I’ve used it on and off since and love it. It’s super light but 30g of No6 is not an issue at all, it’s a pleasure to use and always a talking point at shoots.

They are very French and so a bit marmite but I love mine. It’s a little slow to reload so probably wouldn’t be good on a busy driven drive but a real pleasure if you’re happy to shoot at a slightly slower tempo.

This is the one I bought if the link will work. Looking now, the prices seem to be going down rather than up over the channel but I’m not sure post Brexit how difficult it would be to get one sent over.
Click to expand...

You're a gentleman for linking this! Definitely something to look into, there's more there than expected.

enfieldspares said:
If that guy sold milk it'd be £5.95 a pint because the carton it came in was no doubt the best example of fine factory original tetra pack folding he'd seen in the past twenty years.
Click to expand...

That made me laugh, it's genuinely about £3k overpriced!
 
So rather than starting a new thread... can anyone tell me about their expierences with Charlins? If anyone, as it's even more niche!
 
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