doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com funeral model pictures

An old thread, very worthy to be upheld and continued. The unique term shows up every now and then in this forum, and I only learned it from here in fact.

I just acquired a very nice and elegant French 16/65 side-by-side made by François Soleilhac (Stéphanois, of course). This maker is probably best known for his Darne clones, but also had an output of traditional juxtaposés. I am curious how common or uncommon this style was in France?

What amazes me, is the excellent condition, and the stylish very dark blueing with fine gold lines and small engraving, rather upscale nice walnut with fiddleback streaking, but purposefully not fancy and loud.
If the oxymoron be allowed, a clear case of "ostentatious understatement". 😏😉

Carcano

Pictures. Even with the maximum amount of oxymorons, words only get us so far.

Best,
Ted

Ted, your nudge (or poke) is as justified as it is actually welcome. I apologize for not having tried to include them from the outset. Photos do actually exist, and I shall endeavour to link to them.

As to the gun's appealing finish and execution in detail, I think I have now found the reason for my delighted astonishment. It seems that Soleilhac collaborated here with an MOF ("meilleur ouvrier de France"), probably with Roger Picot - who was nobilitated as MOF in 1936 - and it shows !

Carcano

So, here are the pictures as direct links:

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971870_23nCCKRGyrjoalLv/ad.jpg (rear part of system, trigger, part of buttstock)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971871_Ec2ksxWvOKecVXPj/ad.jpg (overall view, left side)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971880_WcjCp57jXLiuMPN4/ad.jpg (overall view, right side)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971872_ncyZUPBDNObNnbpD/ad.jpg (buttstock, left side)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971881_31bD9GJVKxqAOysl/ad.jpg (buttstock, right side; a few traces of use on the finish)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971873_kTAQWc6zJIR2Jdoo/ad.jpg (left side of A&D type system, barrels, splendid pic does indeed justice to the restrained engraving and gold border lining)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971874_6MFKjQawBLWlEBVw/ad.jpg (same from above, closure lever)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971875_DijOtnYMNnFHAJdq/ad.jpg (again a ravishing pic, showing a tiny mark of "PICOT", probably Roger Picot MOF ?)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971883_MER7Fx07SgNM9BwZ/ad.jpg (brilliant close-up of system, right side)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971876_189Af3QmqSA9jGil/ad.jpg (muzzle)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971877_Kc31WRC2r0otGPyu/ad.jpg (safety and pistol grip checking from above)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971878_2tGADhMtBNITm3lI/ad.jpg (system from the upper right angle, minimal scratch)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971879_z0twZJq2ljHgZWch/ad.jpg (stock comb, showing the fiddleback pattern)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971882_YAug6DSVPWcbYT6n/ad.jpg (system and pistol grip from the right side)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971884_Ni77sXJJxT0xHJZ2/ad.jpg (bottom side of system, showing the glossy finish and the fine, restrained engraving)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971885_EiNbje1ziGiua16T/ad.jpg (trigger guard continuation)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971886_FoT1ls1WfC4zOICu/ad.jpg (tip of forestock with opener push-button)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971890_MPpNVG69LqMaeaHY/ad.jpg (forestock inside with serial number)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971887_WL29t4BPZMorxT3A/ad.jpg (lower side of barrels, water table with full set of markings, including barrel maker [canonnier] and possibly mechanics / finishers)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971889_ttEUwuGQfmqanXJD/ad.jpg (partial close-up of above - who is the firm in the rectangular mark?)

https://img.eselt.de/img/18971888_CxvcbECfFcOswBqU/ad.jpg (system and face, proof mark)

Enjoy !

Carcano

Interesting gun.

16 gauge, proofed with powder T, single proof. Typical 65mm chamber. That action was literally common as empty beer cans across France and Belgium, I think Fab narrowed down who produced it, but, rest assured, everyone used it when they needed a sound, basic boxlock. Purchased in the white, and proofed, they formed the basis of French gun production.

It does not appear to be an ejector, the French were more apt to forgo single triggers with ejectors, not sure as to why, but, they often did. Sensible if you are reloading your own ammunition, reliable as an anvil.

Laying in straight gold line work is tough. When I was tested for talent (I assured the instructor, Mr. Petiot, MOF engraving instructor, I had none) at the engraving school, he handed me a Burrell and a square of sheet metal, and told me to cut as straight and consistent a line as I could.

He was unimpressed. Can’t say I didn’t warn him.

Use the gun in good health.

Best,
Ted

Answering my own second question: 😁
Possibly "Société Heurtier & Compagnie", according to a posting of Argo44 here, back in 2016. Barrel makers at large.

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=453067#Post453067

And here is a short article about them:
https://fcm25.canalblog.com/archives/2018/05/25/36431738.htm

Carcano

Are you going to put the gun to use?

Best,
Ted

I have just weighed this gun yesterday evening, against another French 16 ga SxS, an MAT (a bit heavy, that other one is a monobloc with a trigger plate action I think). It is almost a whole pound lighter. Handles like a 24ga or even 28ga.
Which means that I should first look for light and amenable 16/67,5 loads, such as not to strain it too much. It is really a "light game gun".

Carcano

I personally have never seen the term "Funeral Model" used by any gunmaker. Has anyone seen this or is it just some seller lingo hype ?

The latter, in my experience.