doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Coming up zero on an interesting French gun.

Has anyone ever seen a Piccard Fayolle "Dactu"? The company had been in existence since before the turn of the 20th century, but, this particular model, a striker fired O/U, (think of a very nicely finished and styled Marlin model 90, and you are on the right track) was produced from about 1954 until the company ceased to exist, perhaps 1979 or so. The Dactu was available in 12, 16 and 20, with single or double triggers, ejectors, or not, in three or so grades, and compared favorably to the Verney Carron "Sagittaire" series of O/Us by none other than John T. Amber.
John T. interviewed the company's owner, Ms. Therese Ducat, circa 1975 or so, and reported that she was a hell of a shot, and a hunter, to boot. I don't know if the company went under, was sold, or any other details. Hitting the usual search engines, and smart guys, comes up with almost nothing.
What do you have? I know they did exist, so, an actual example (photos, use) would be more valuable than period advertising, but, that is good to see as well. I'm pretty sure the company was based in St. Etienne.
Best,
Ted

Ted:

See http://www.gournetusa.com/forum/ as posted by Mr. Chambers on "Forarm will not release". There's a lot of French & Belgian info there as well as those in the know.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

'Coupla the smart guys I konw hang out there, I wasn't really looking for a new board to join, and thought I'd try here, first-this board is pretty reliable, usually, recent postings about Charlins with Darne R model axels, and F. Darnes actually being Regis Darne guns aside.

Thanks for the tip, if nothing shows up here, well, maybe.
Best,
Ted

New one on me, Ted. As you know, French OU's aren't all that common, although Manufrance was making some in that same era, and so was Darne. (Can't recall ever seeing either of those, however.)

Dactu looks to be an anagram of Ducat.

It closed in 1982. It was from StEtienne.
Best wishes for 2008.

darnation:

Were you the engraver who napped under the table/booth at the 2007 Vintagers in Maryland in September?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Oh , yes. And I felt so good after !

OK Ted, you have CLEARLY started with your cheap shots again...everybody else STAY OUT OF THIS...I can defend myself from cheap shots...let Ted defend himself, he has started up again

Don't you guys ever stop with the petty little digs and used oats...'Coupla the smart guys I konw hang out there,"

I wonder why the spelling marshal didn't notice that you misspelled "know"...

"French OU's aren't all that common"...What?

Not that common? Where? You mean "not common" in Jerkwater, Iowa..... France and the rest of Europe are swimming in used French O/U's...just CHECK OUT THE INTERNET...don't take my word for it...Petrik, Chapuis, Verney Carron, Charlin, St.Etienne artisan, Gastiene Renette, and more....do you think the other readers are too stupid to surf the French internet? Just who do you think is still buying this nonsense?

here's 4 on the first page I looked at
http://www.armurerie-elysees.com/ratelier.php

here's a Verney Carron
http://www.armes-occasion.com/index.php?cPath=2_4&osCsid=3197e627617ebb28fb066661f8c8b834

here's a Charlin O/U and another VC
http://www.leguide.net/go/search/idx/3071000/mot/Fusil_de_chasse_superpose/t/1/go.htm

Here's 4 more
http://www.leguide.net/go/search/idx/3071000/mot/Fusil_de_chasse_superpose/t/1/p/12/go.htm

Just Google these words "Fusils de chasse superposés"

and as for the Picard Foyalle...it's dead...don't touch it...you don't want to "go backwards" into a gun like that...see how ugly it sounds when I say it? That's exactly how ugly it sounds when you say it!

Why can't you guys stop with the petty digs?

Apologize to Raimey, he offered you sound advice, and you chose to use it to get your digs in yet again...and Larry came runnin' to stand next to you, even though he had nothing factual to offer.

Why all the pure bull? It's easier to say nothing than bull? Cant you find something constructive to talk about?

I don't think the readers are buying it anymore...

This must be made right across the boarder perhaps in the Ruhr. Just look at the back of the action and how beautifuly wood carving compliments that underlever. Thuringian "beaver" would cut much deeper into that wood. I see lot of gut French influence in that piece.
Morris Hallowell is listing couple of Charlins with Petrik closure, but they worth only about half of his asking price. He even has small French flag next to word translation.

All right bOys I'll be the referee.

Take it easy on him Ted....

No mOre shots below the belt Robert.