Description
DARNE 12G SLIDING BREECH SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN.
Excellent example of these French made 12g Side by Side Sliding Breech Shotgun by Darne. THREE Manufacturers Stamps so a Mid-Range R13 Grade Gun. Also detailed ‘EPREUVE TRIPLE NONE POUR LA BALLE – (NO SOLID SLUG).
27 ½” (700mm) Fixed Choke Barrels at a tight ¼ and ¾ with 2 ¾” (70mm) Chambers. A Long 14 7/8” (378mm) Quite Decorative Strong and Straight Grained Maple Walnut Stock. It finishes the entire gun at 44” dead. (1118mm). The Very Nice Colour Contrast just elevates the overall aesthetic of this Truly Classic gun. Chequering is not far from as new, still very clean and sharp to the touch. The rest of the gun is in the same or very similar condition.
Action and Trigger Guard finished in what appears to be a Nitrite type finish with Very Tasteful Engraving. Very much a case of ‘less is more’ and, for me, Wonderfully Classically Understated. Very often keeping things simple not only works but is extremely effective.
These also always weigh in delightfully easy to carry all day with this example tipping scales at 6 Lbs 4 oz. (2.84 kg).
Technically none ejectors but in reality you get a rather neat little pile at your feet. Open the action and the cases simply roll off the flats as the slides hits its stop.
Safety is to the Left Action Side and the small pivoting lever.
CERTAINLY guns for people who like to walk their own path and not be one of the flock. Also something of collectors pieces. Never that many to be found even though they are still being made. With prices circa 7000 Euro for the basic grade its no surprise.
These guns WILL turn heads and also make for excellent conversation when out in company. They SHOULD as they ARE True Classics, certainly different and Beautifully designed and made. They are also true ‘Marmite’ guns as people either LOVE them or hate them. Personally I like them and have never enjoyed swimming with the stream!
£1699.99
One with a full refurbishment done at £1995:
https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotguns/darne/side-by-side/12-gauge/190725074901002
THIS IS ALL ORIGINAL and very likely better barrels.
THE STEEL SHOT DEBACLE?
FIRST THING: Given lead is SO dangerous, can we ask about getting every lead water main replaced? After all, ANYONE with one of those still supplying water has zero choice. LETS PUT THAT QUESTION TO HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT.
That is every child’s grazed knee washed out with lead infested water (direct into their blood stream. Every glass of juice. Every cup of tea or coffee, Vegetables washed and cooked in the stuff. ALL that DELICIOUS Gravy. Cloths washed in it. Then we bath in the sodding lead infested stuff!
HOW DO THEY DEFEND THIS FACT?
THEN THERE ARE more and more Non-Toxic Shot alternatives being produced. WITH near matching performances to traditional lead and close to, if not matching pressures. Take a look at Horton Gunmakers for their own entry into this debacle of modern-day shooting. IF it’s so lethally deadly to shooters and game eaters, how is it every old lead water main supply pipe is not getting ripped out and replaced? To my mind it’s a DISGRACE that the shooting industry did not simply ask that one simple question. NO, they saw an excuse to charge a fortune and that mainly to the detriment of the quarry. Just my opinion …..for what its worth?
Anyway, take a look for yourself:
NOW, to TRY and help speed up availability I WILL also suggest that YOU pass on details to everyone you know who shoots. Then ALL of us start to ask whoever we buy from why they are not DEMANDING cartridges made in this material? Basically VOTE with your WALLET.
YES, it will take a little time for everything to filter through but patience IS a virtue. It also allows everyone who wants to keep hold of their ‘old favourite’ for the rest of their lives. Even pass it on to the next generation and hopefully beyond!
On that note I AM looking into the possibility of stocking some direct from Steve at Hortons. RING for an update and keep checking the web site.
