Jack,
Both my Darnes are straight grip, one a very European style, called "Galwi", that features just a hint of swan neck curve in the stock, with a bit of belly up to the checkered butt.
That little wood area under the sliding breech on a Darne makes a dandy handle for one arm gun carry on the way back to the car. A Charlin is steel in the same area.
I like both styles, but, as the years went by, for reason of personal preference, I came to prefer the R Darne over anything else. The Charlin I used to own, that was pictured in the DGJ, lives just down the road in Mpls, with a close friend who owns a large collection of all kinds of sliding breech guns. I suppose the number one reason I sold it to him was the bodacious amount of cast in the stock, opposite my lefthanded requirements, that caused my cheek pain at the shot.
Glad to see you found a gun to appreciate. Use it in good health.
Best,
Ted
