This gun sold the same day it was listed:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...ghest-grade-series-.cfm?gun_id=102272871

I had communication with the owner prior to the sale, and, really liked it, but, have a different circus (and, monkeys) to deal with at the moment. I feel this gun was an exceptional value for a high grade Darne.

It has a bunch going for it. Subgauge (16) with modern proof and 2 3/4” chambers, decent length barrels, and great checkering and wood. I like a straight stock and a swamped rib. I’m not a fan of recoil pads, especially leather versions, but, that said, it likely got the LOP out to where it really needed to be.

Every VHS Darne I ever laid eyes on was in a collection and had never been used. I would love to use this one.

Best,
Ted

Thank you Lord. I avoided a divorce ($7,500 for a gun vs $125K per year in settlement/support).

Stunning gun,passed on a 20 bore r22 10 years ago for a fair price.O well.

I owned a V20, that I believe was engraved by the Grandfather of the man who engraved this gun. V20 engraving was almost always gamescene, and while most of it is not to my taste, the gun functioned beautifully.

I like V grade guns, but, my favorites were always R models:



The R I should have ordered.

Best,
Ted

If we see what Darne termed an “Honor Series” gun, it is typically a VHS, or, V Honor Series. But, if you were “that guy”, a dude who thought like me, there was an RHS gun that you could order, as well.

I’ve only seen one:



This style of engraving is known as “fond crux” and the composition is woodcock. Almost certainly it was a European buyer who ordered it, as woodcock hunting is a near religion in that part of the world. I believe this gun was a 16 with a rifled shot dispersal right barrel, and a lightly choked left barrel. You could specify everything, of course, at that level of quality and pricing.

Best,
Ted

Salut Ted,
Celui-ci est assez exceptionnel.


https://www.galeriedemars.fr/archiv...uxe-calibre-410-et-28-70-france-xxe.html

Salut Fab,


C'est merveilleux de vous entendre! C'est un très beau Darne. Je ne sais pas à quoi je l'utiliserais, mais j'aurais l'air très bien en le faisant.




From the sites description:

HUNTING SHOTGUN from Ateliers DARNE and sold by HALIFAX UNDER LICENSE, model N°5 grand LUXE with two smooth mirror barrels chambered in 410/76 76cm and 28/70 71cm.
Sunken engravings, rust blue, and wear-free mechanism, superb walnut frame with 37cm stock, very rare private order from the 1930s.




I’ve wanted many things in life, but, a Darne in .410 caliber was not one of them. This one doesn’t appear to have seen much use, either.

The same site shows this Charlin, another exceptional gun. 2 3/4” chambers and triple proofed. The Art Deco engraving is a little strange, but, the roosters wouldn’t notice.

https://www.galeriedemars.fr/archiv...eles-plume-calibre-12-70-france-xxe.html

Best,
Ted