doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com An urban legend gun.

I get the fact that someone wanted a longer LOP on the gun Crosnoe is selling. But, once you cut a stock, the "collector price" doesn't compute anymore.

And that gun is collector priced. Good luck.

Best,
Ted

Barrel flat trvia:



Notice 70mm chamber length and proof. The 28 gauge guns for Europe were often 2 1/2 or 65mm chamber.

Stoeger markings:



Not sure why Stoeger thought they had to come up with a corny sounding name. I would think the Darne numbers would have been good enough.

Best,
Ted

Time capsule for sure! Darnes are like Fench cars, if you get used to them no other can compare. I miss my 2CV and recall a near purchase of a R15.

In 1971 at our local North London gunshop, Whaley's, the Darne R15 sold for 115 sterling, but it was "unusual" and doubt won the day. It would have been an ideal rough shooting double. Still is.

Time capsule for sure! Darnes are like Fench cars, if you get used to them no other can compare. I miss my 2CV and recall a near purchase of a R15.

In 1971 at our local North London gunshop, Whaley's, the Darne R15 sold for 115 sterling, but it was "unusual" and doubt won the day. It would have been an ideal rough shooting double. Still is.

What a darn lucky find Ted. You either love 'em or there's something wrong with you. I LOVE my 16 gauge. The really nice Parisian dealer I bought it from went out of business two years ago, bummer. Actually there are far fewer nice gun shops in Paris these days. I wrote an article for DGJ about 15 years ago on Parisian gun shops that included a bunch of photos. It will have a historical value soon. What a pity.
nial

Nial,
The Darne works was recently sold. I have no idea if the guns will be produced in the future. Pre 9-11 was a good time to be involved with an interesting French gunmaker, but, at this time, I think the handwriting is on the wall.
I've been playing with this gun and my shooter, and, oddly, this gun doesn't seem to be a whole lot lighter than my 12 gauge R10. The 12 is a very light 12 and this seems to be a little heavier 28 gauge. I wonder if I should take it out and shoot it?
I wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of your 16, Nial.

Best,
Ted

I have owned four Darnes, two 12 gauges, one 16 gauge and a 20 gauge.
The 12's were and R10 and R15, the 20 an R10 again and the 16 was a bespoke Bruchet Darne R11 that Ted had made for me.
I retain only the R11 as it's a great upland double with a unique double trigger where the front trigger will fire the barrels sequentially.
It will be sad to see the demise of the factory if that happens.
I always thought that the 12 gauges I had, felt as light as the other gauges.
I ordered the 16 gauge, just because and it came out 6# 0.1oz.
What ever you do with it Ted, it's a beautiful gun and a great example of a great gun maker with a very unique action. It's the only double I asked the seller of the first one i purchased, "How do I open this thing/". -Dick

'Morning Dick,
Glad to hear you are still putting that gun to good use. That was the only example of the double/single trigger I ever ordered or sold. Nice option, for sure.
I was only able to talk the Bruchet's into building three R11s-your's, my friend Bill's 16, that was reviewed in Shooting Sportsman, and Steve Bodio's slug gun. They wanted to build higher end guns.
Like riding a bike, once you see how a Darne opens, you will always be able to do it.

Best,
Ted