Darnes

Darnes are not only beautiful and interesting guns but also very strong. Compared to other break action guns they had higher pressure test (~960kg/cm2 on the action, and usually higher on the barrels). The similar looking Charlin was also a very nice gun, and there was a single shot between 1928 and the late 60’s, called Verney-Carron Stopvis. It was extremely strong with 1500kg/cm2 pressure tested. It was also maybe the simplest ever made shotgun with only 27 parts, including everything, like butt plate and its screws. But they were more expensive than other European (and Russian) and American shotguns, so production ceased. Check out www.naturabuy.fr you can find good pictures of all the three guns. Unfortunately I don’t speak French yet I bought a French book about Darnes. Also unfortunately, the EU will ban all lead ammunition about 3-5 years from now. After that, I have no idea what you could do with old guns. Maybe loosen up the chokes to lower the pressure in the barrels? I don’t know if it would help or not.  Fekete Gabor

I sent this quote and page on Darnes to Steve and he replied with:

Nice  Darnes, though I have seen  and even owned nicer ones(?)  One of my deep regrets is the guns I got rid of  that I should have kept. My Scottish friend, Bodie Llittlejohn in Texas, has an R20(?); a plain case colored R10? (an R anyway) and a short ten converted to magnum 12 that accounts for a number of clean – killed wildfowl every year and I would take it back in a hot second.

Every gun of the Darne or Bruchet family has strength. Any Darne patent is stronger than a conventional gun, though it might kick hard.  As for patterns, all French guns are choked too tight AFAIAC, so again don’t worry. Opening them out is often a good idea with US loads and can only improve their generally too- tight barrels. Lessening pressure is also A Good Thing. More soon. My shot and ball gun was amazing.