doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Guyot shotguns

out of those 80%, 95%+ were Nazi bring back.
There are probably more pre WWII French guns in the US than in France.
Those that were not surrendered were hidden (buried), and those usually did not make it through the war without major damages.

Guyot started as a Parisian maker but shifted to Belgian imports around the turn of the century. However, it was certainly a high end shop, and I have never seen anything mediocre from them.
WC-

French guns are revered in southern Europe. In places where people hunt on foot rather than shoot driven game. Ideals and Darnes are ranked at least equal to Purdeys and prices reflect this appreciation, confirming the "tool for the job" adage. Admittedly the French understood the needs of these hunters and came out with woodcock specials, which the English never offered.

Guyot and Granger are ranked even higher than Ideal and Darne, but seldom seen.

For those with bad eyes!!!



FOREIGN PIGEON SHOOTING,
The Programme and Arrangements For Monte Carlo and Nice. By the kindness of Mon A. Blondin, secretary at Monte Carlo, who has just forwarded the programme for 1895 and 1896, I have the pleasure of sending a description of the general features to "Sporting Life."

The pigeon shooting at Monte Carlo Is to be more extensive this season than last, and will include what is termed free handicap translated means equal handicap. When more than one pigeon is mentioned in these lines the usual sweep for 30 and 20 per cent, obtains, also sweeps for 30 and 20 per cent, will obtain in purse events on one pigeon when so stated in programme. There will be more cups this year, and all together will present a magnificent entertainment.

The matches will be continuous, but the pro- gramme is divided into a series of five parts. The first is known as Tir Hebdomadairea, begin- ning December 16. Nearly every other day there will be three events; first a miss and out, one pigeon; second, an event for a $100 purse, miss and out, six pigeons; third, a handicap, miss and out, one pigeon.

Second part known as Concours Preparatories, beginning January 20, with two events nearly every other day; first, for a purse of $200, miss and out, one pigeon; second handicap, miss and out, one pigeon.

Third part known aa Concours International, beginning February 1, one event each day, with purses raging from 2000 to 3000 francs and objects d' art. The Grand Prix, with beautiful cup, is to be held on February 5 and 6; three prizes, the first being $4000. This event will be of 24 pigeons, allowing three for a miss and out.

Fourth part known as Ooncours de Deukieme Serie, beginning February 12, with two events nearly every other day; first, for a $200 purse, miss and out, one pigeon; second, a handicap, miss and out, one pigeon.

Fifth part, known as Troisieme Serie, beginning February 26, with three events nearly every other day; first, handicap, miss and out, one pigeon; second, an event with purses from $100 to $200 each, miss and out, six pigeons. Closing the season with an event on March 14 for a $200 purse and object d' art.

The new rules on all events, with the exception of the Grand Prix, are that beginning at 26yds. winners of $100 are handicapped one- half yard, winners of $200 are handicapped one yard; every time a winner scores a purse he is handicapped additional; extreme distance is 31yds. Events will be held at Nice once or twice a week, not conflicting with the Monte Carlo programme. Nice can be reached by rail- road in half an hour.

For the convenience of shooters who contemplate visiting this tournament and carrying their own gun the writer states that the gun must not weigh, over eight pounds and not larger than 12 bore. All sizes of cartridges and all kinds of smokeless and several black powders can be had at reasonable prices and guaranteed loading on the grounds from the club's armorer, the well-known Mon Guyot of Paris. In addition, however, there are, to the writer's knowledge, three reliable gun stores at Nice and three at Marseilles, and many, both French and English, at Paris. There is no duty charged on importing one shotgun, so shooters will have no trouble. Shooters will have great trouble in trying to import cartridges; the same will be confiscated and probably a fine imposed. It is the writer's suggestion that you do not try importation.

For full other particulars and programme address Mon A. Blondin, secretary Tir aux Pigeons, Monte Carlo, France. LIBUT. PETER GIBSON

What?

"Ideals and Darnes are ranked at least equal to Purdeys and prices reflect this appreciation..."

You're telling me the people in southern Europe will pay as much for an Ideal or a Darne as they'll pay for a Purdey?

BS.

Go on www.Naturabuy.fr and check some prices.

OWD

That's what I was thinking also OWD. Purdey is exclusive company. Possibly the Granger and Guyot but few others.

OWD,

For 35 years I have made my living in hunting media, carrying advertising for guns, new and used. That small experience with the trade shows many buyers in southern Europe rank Ideals and Darnes higher than Purdeys and are willing to pay more for them.

Anyone who knows the woodcock obsession would understand. It is the criterion by which things are ranked in this area, and woodcock hunters are the big spenders, not driven shooting folks.

http://www.latelierdarme.com/depot-vente...e-d-armes-0.htm

Note how many Ideals and Darnes in this high end shop are marked "vendu" (Sold) and check on Naturabuy how many English best are relisted over and over.

Thank you for this information. I didn't know Darnes held such a premium. In Paris in a week or so, I'll check them out. (And I thought Ted was a bit eccentric!)

KB

Herve Bruchet has a workshop now, I do not know how far he is from Paris. He might be worth a look, both because he knows Darnes and because he speaks English and knows gun terminology.

If you can go beyond Darnes, and are not bound to a name, you might find some interesting doubles unknown outside France. Even some cheapos like the Tarzan (the name says a lot lol) can give you superb balance in a rugged double for a very small outlay.

Here is Darne's site http://www.fusildarne.com/gun-sporting-gun-darne

And how many of those Darnes and Ideals are priced as high? Very, very few. Most of them are far less expensive -- many are a 1/4-1/3 the price of a decent used Purdey.

So if by "value" you mean price, the French clearly value the top-quality British stuff much higher.

OWD

OWD

Relax, no one is belittling English guns.

You are comparing unlike items. A top grade Ideal will set you back as much if not more than a Purdey. The Ideals in the 3000 to 5000 Euro range are the middle grades and they outsell average condition English guns, including Purdeys, this is my experience.

Guns that need to be sent back to the makers for even minor jobs are not popular. The reason is simple- the mandatory export license to send, an import license to receive, the airline premium because it is a gun, the imposition of a licensed broker to deal with the arrangement. Sending a Purdey from let's say Venice to London and back can add up to 1000 Euro plus weeks of waiting for the permits. Add the prices for any "best" work and it starts to look like a liability. Last time I looked Purdey was charging 200 pounds for a simple service.

People tend to prefer more robust guns that can be serviced locally, yet offer the balance and handling that rivals (some say surpass) anything English. An Ideal can be serviced by any competent gunsmith, just count the screws on one and see why.