With descriptions of steel quality, patented locks, models of SxS, o/u, fishing gear, bicycles, etc. Nice reference document. I've posted the first two pages...the whole catalog is at the site below. This is a follow on to our discussion in another line about "Helice" and the various VC patents Helicobloc, Helice-Grip, etc.

WWII had started but when this catalog was published Nov 1939 it was the time of the "Sitzkrieg" or in French "Drole de Guerre" (phoney war) when France and Britain did nothing after declaring war over the invasion of Poland but drop propaganda leaflets on Germany. The stylish woman hunter though looks like she's ready.

http://www.verney-carron.com/pdf/catalogue-1939-FR-Verney-Carron.pdf

Neat
Thanks for sharing

Now that's a stylish lady hunter!

The first V-C I owned was an Helice 33, looks like the one on p. 22. Those guns used coil springs rather than flat springs.

Looks like they were no longer using a full page photo of French WWI ace of aces CPT Fonck to promote their guns.

I have a ca. 1955 model 529 "Sologne" VC. Made only in 20 bore with 70 mm chambers and 68.5 cm (27") barrels. Weighs 5 lb 6 oz. Plain blacked receiver (now bright along the carry points but beautiful wood and superb fit and finish, including gilt bearing parts. Bob Day opened up the ferociously tight chokes and Todd Nelsen adjusted LOP and toned down the pronounced pitch. It's just a superb little quail and rabbit gun.

Cornell University Press sells reproductions of many vintage gun catalogs including Verney Carron. I had no good idea what model gun I had or when it was made so I randomly bought the 1955 and 1960 catalogues in hopes one of them would have my gun. Hit paydirt in the '55.

Maybe this is why????


"Despite his stunning success in the air, Rene Fonck was never embraced by the public in the same way as Georges Guynemer. Possessing a withdrawn personality, he seldom socialized with other pilots and instead preferred to focus on improving his aircraft and planning tactics. When Fonck did socialize, he proved to be an arrogant egotist. His friend,Lieutenant Marcel Haegelen stated that though a "slashing rapier" in the sky, on the ground Fonck was a "a tiresome braggart, and even a bore."

I want one of the dual shotgun sights illustrated on page 37.

Fonck lived. Most of the other French aces--many of whom adopted more chivalrous tactics, like flying head on at the enemy--died. But I do remember reading a friend of Fonck's saying that you almost hated to have him come to your rescue, because he'd never let you forget it.

But I love the full page ad with Fonck in the early 20's V-C catalogs. "The birds fall like Krauts!"

Still....marketing is marketing...and American car companies learned early that if you pack the hood with honeys....it works.

That huntress...she is all style from the hat to her gloves...looks business. I suppose she's hiding behind the tree in case a turkey attacks... But from the catalog the company was also marketing clothing and the SxS premium guns were bought by "gentlemen" and their ladies. I want those plus fours...I have the pipe.