doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Info request on Charlins

Anyone here familiar with Charlins? How are they to shoot; how difficult/expensive if repairs are needed? What kind of prices do they bring? Anyone able to date a gun with a serial number in 360xx range? I've seen a lovely .16 ga. version, nicely scroll engraved, with an action that works so smoothly it defies description. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.
Will

Have seen two examples in last three years; both very plain action no engraving. (I guess Hallowell has had one forever also but I don't care for the squiggles or the price.) Both in $8C range; kicking myself I didn't buy the first one I saw locally but I didn't care for the offhand attitude which the bozo who consigned displayed over phone. Bought one from Thad Scott; 12 ga. 28" ic/full. Far as I'm concerned plain jane little gun is the gold standard; has the old je ne sais quoi but I don't know what it is. Maybe that barrels that light can be proofed to the "triple palm" pressure. In fact, I'm constantly amazed that I can shoot this gun with 15" LOP. If your breech ain't sliding on bearing balls, you ain't living. Not too crazy about the "pineapple" safety. Mine has stood up well to the volume of casual skeet (100-150 rnds. per wk. for a couple months last year. Hasn't broke so I haven't searched for a mechanic. Got Frogmania pretty bad at the moment. Looking at every Manufrance Ideal, Darne, and boxlock guild gun I can find. Ted Schefelbein may be able to tell you more of substantive value than I can. If you decline to take it, please clue me in on its whereabouts.

jack

Hence you should change your name to Lapin ;0

Price comparison . . . not enough Charlins around to judge the "market". Best bet is to look at comparable Darnes. The Charlin does have a smooth action, if you're into the sliding breech guns. Safety can be a bit awkward, as noted above.

They shoot, well, about the same as any other good quality double. Expect short chambers, and tight chokes. No issues on correcting either, but, do have a good gunsmith do the work, as opposed to a local 870 mechanic. If it breaks, you are SOL, and will have to, again, pay a good gunsmith for his skill in reverse engineering a replacement part. The very good news is the only thing I have ever seen break in a Charlin (I've handled a lifetime supply of them) is a little flat spring that keeps upward pressure on the toggle when the gun is cocked-if the gun goes "clunk, clunk" when you cycle the action, this is the problem. Doesn't sound like an issue, in this case.
Dating a Charlin, isn't possible. There, I've said it. The company was owned by several owners, and serial numbers, and sequence didn't mean a lot to any of them, from what I've seen.
A Charlin, like a Darne, can be left with the action slightly open, which, will function just like the safety everyone complains about-the gun can't fire. Where a Charlin differs from a Darne is that the breech is not locked to the barrels-the action is an over-the-center device, and pressure on the breech face tends to hold the action more tightly closed. It is a clever arrangement, but, more then one bloke has stuffed standard, American, high pressure ammunition into a short chambered 5 1/2 lb Charlin, and peed his pants after the shot, when he saw the opening lever slightly lifted. But, nothing is wrong, the action is just protesting the abuse. The gun can't open. That same reason is why I prefer a Darne for my slidey breech guns, but, that is just me. A Darne, is one bolted shut tight mother when the key is closed. I like it that way.
Price pretty much comes down to how much you want it. None of your friends will have one, so they won't have gotten a better deal then you, which, might cause undue embarrassment, if that 'sort of thing bothers you. I always liked the sling swivels that all of them seem to have, but, you could and should use that as a ploy to get the price down-I have. If the price is too high, wait a month, and then start waving cash at the owner-the gun will still be there. Probably still be there in a year, in all honesty.
Good luck, and let us know what happens. If repairs or an inspection are needed, Kirk Merrington is your man.
Best,
Ted

Postoak, I prefer the Italian "il Coniglio".

jaques

I've spoken with Geoffroy Gournet about Charlins. According to him, they are more coveted in France than the Darne. He's says they cost much more than Darne of a comparable grade in Europe as well. Charlins are quite a bit smoother operating than the Darne action, the couple I've seen have been very well made. The Charlin at Hallowell & Co. has been there for a long time and is considered by many to be overpriced in this country. Charlins are nice guns. If you have any problems, like the thing needing to be repaired or something like that, Gunter Pfrommer can fix it for you as can Geoffroy Gournet.

Dustin

FWIW, I saw an engraved 16 listed in the $1300-1500 range that sold Feb. 2006. Don't know what the actual selling price was, but the engraving was identical to Hallowell's 12.
I have to admit to abusing the 16 I have with loads and weather for the last 5 years... it keeps on ticking, but I'm always on the lookout for a parts gun in case it ever fails.

Blue Book seconds suggestion of referencing price for similar grade Darne.

jack

Thanks to each of you for the responses, esp. the lengthy reply from Ted, and Dustin's comments. Jack, I will let you know what washes out with the gun. Genuinely appreciate the help. Best, Will.