Originally Posted By: Cyrano
Recently visited a collector who said he had three Darnes. He had only one. One of the others was a Charlin Automatique. Proofed in St Etienne, double proof (the Darne had treble proof). I don't know what the 'automatique' was about. The other was a Delalle, also St Etienne proofed (single proof). The Delalle was dated 1914. All had mechanisms identical to the Darne. Does anyone have any information on the other makers: Charlin and Delalle? Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the book on Darnes by Bruchet. I already have the one by Jean-Claude Mournetas.

I was advised to come here thru a query I posted on Parallax Bill's forums. Nobody over there had ever heard of Charflin and Delalle. I'd never heard of the latter until I saw one.

What's that 'boxlock' under my name?


I have a Charlin and a Darne. Initially they look the same, both sliding breech, but I have learned on this forum they are different. The Charlin is an over the top, cam type lockup which is sufficient for shotshells. The Darne has a large round rod extending back from between the barrels. On the bottom of this rod is a blind hole, When the breech slides forward a bolt comes up and engages in the hole, locking the breech solidly to the barrels. This enables the Darne to be chambered in some large and powerful rifle cartridges.

JJK