doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Idle pursuit of the ideal 20 ga

I'd like to know that one, too.

I know you are the champion of the Darne, Ted, but when you make a disparaging comment about the only other significant design for double guns you must expect a challenge. I think that was probably the plan anyway. Your statement implies that hinge pin guns are somehow a lesser quality design than sliding breech. Well ...... if you build a better mousetrap, ......... you know the rest. Darne tried, but for some reason (apparent to me) the world didn't beat a path there. Did something contrary to the laws of economics occur in the world of commerce that denied Darne what was rightfully their place at the top of the market, replacing hinge pin guns as the major design of doubles?

All my best, SRH

The hinge pin on a Charlin is located at the end of the opening lever, and rotates in the receiver as the lever is cycled open and closed. You have to take the stock off to see it, and you have to drift a pin to remove it.



Stan,
I'm not positive what you mean, exactly, with the "build a better mousetrap" bit. The above advertisement is from the French magazine "L'illustration" in 1932 and makes mention of the fact that more than 120,000 Darne guns are in service in France and abroad at that time. Are you saying they were not successful with the design? That Purdey or Boss or Fox, or LC Smith or whoever, had higher production, and were therefore more successful? Or are you perhaps unaware of just how many Darne guns are out there, and, that they are still actually being produced?
Do tell. Can you think of a company that produced double guns in those quantities by the early 1930s, and then kept on doing it?

I like this little note, too:



Note they make mention of how many dealers they have- 500 worldwide. And how they were pretty much dominating pigeon shoots in places that mattered in 1952.

Better mousetrap, eh? Every gun has it's strong points, and weak points. None of them are the end all that will simply work best for every human being. But, eliminating the hinge pin was a significant achievement. It is an uncomfortable fact that every hinge pin will wear, and will need to be serviced at some point.

But, not on a Darne.

For the record, I like a Charlin, I just like a Darne R model better. I'd take a Charlin that fit me before I'd take any US built double, for example. A Charlin doesn't have a through bolt in the wrist like a Darne, and should be easier to have fitted for cast and drop then a Darne, but, everyone has their preferences. I had my 12 Darne stocked to fit, so, that was that.

Have a great day, Stan.


Best,
Ted

Thanks Ted, I learned something

Hope it was this-you like a Charlin, keep using a Charlin.


Best,
Ted

The Charlin just fit me better, and I like the smoother albeit not nearly as strong operation.

A good American double newer model take a look at Connecticut shotgun Manufacture RBL 20.

Another vote for an RBL, I bought mine used.....looked like a brand new gun....very reasonably. I, too, am not a wealthy man, the RBL is my most valuable gun. They do, however, have 2.75" chambers. For me that is a non issue, if I need 1.25 oz. of shot I'll pull out the 12. With one ounce loads of 6's or 7's, my gun is deadly on prairie grouse out to 40 yards, I do not hunt pheasants.

Steve

Postoak,

Keep an eye on Gunbroker for your 20 ga. Manufrance Ideal. I bought one with a broken stock for $400 a couple of years ago. I restocked it to fit my wife and it is a perfect upland gun. Barrels about 28", 2 1/2 inch chambers and cyl/ mod chokes.

Story was it is a WW II bringback. A little different mechanics if you're used to English guns like me but a really thoughtful design.

Thanks hammergun, I have a no6 Ideal 12 and a higher grade lunette 16, but would loved to have a 20 or 24.

They are very simple and durable old guns action wise.

I don't think that has been cast in stone just yet, Rob. I thought what you had to say was most relevant.


Best,
Ted