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Forums10
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Mar 28th, 2026
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11 |
The proof marking suggests a 'license'. Does it mean some other manufacturer made this? The s/n is 41521. Any help you can offer to dee-code all these markings would be appreciated. Thanks. [url=  ]double gun[/url]
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,134 Likes: 1653
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,134 Likes: 1653 |
A Halifax was built by Darne. At the time this gun was built, there were so many other manufacturers building copies of sliding breech guns that they put that stamp on the Halifax to assure customers it was an actual Darne product, as opposed to a copy.
Originally, the gun had 65mm chambers, about 2 1/2". It was proofed in St. Etienne for smokeless powder T, and the gun was proofed in a finished state. It is a 12 gauge. At one time there were grade 3, 4 and 5 Halifax guns, mid 1930s, and that is about when this gun was produced. It appears to be single proofed, most lower grades were.
A few more pictures wouldn't hurt a thing.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11 |
[img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img] [img:center]  [/img]
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,134 Likes: 1653
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,134 Likes: 1653 |
You need a new buttplate. Dutchman woodworks sells a pretty decent copy, that is made of ureathane, instead of horsey hooves, and it will last much longer. The gun also looks like a strip and clean by a good double gunsmith would do wonders. Kirk Merrington can do wonders, but, he is in Texas, and you appear to be in Canada.
Otherwise, a serviceable gun that will be a pleasant shooter with light loads when hunting, if it comes close to fitting you. If it doesn't, get rid of it-a Darne stock is not easily bent.
I suspect you will find pretty tight chokes in the barrels.
Best,
Ted
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,745 Likes: 692
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,745 Likes: 692 |
Excellent Ontario gunsmith is Stelios at SC Gunworks in Markham Ontario.
The world cries out for such: he is needed & needed badly- the man who can carry a message to Garcia
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11 |
Most of my 12 ga hunting is done with a fairly new 870. This Darne was bequeathed to me by my Dad and I have basically used it for skeet but, like you suggest, it is a bit short for me. Thanks for the gunsmith tip. I've been looking for someone who can work with this type of Darne.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,134 Likes: 1653
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,134 Likes: 1653 |
Short, you can work with. A slip on pad works for me, but, you could go with a recoil pad as well, whatever works for you. When the gun has too much/too little drop or cast is when you have to think about throwing in the towel to find a different one that fits.
For reasons I can't even begin to speculate on, a high percentage of the people I know who like and use a Darne also have a pump hanging around. Weird, but, having said that I fall into that catagory as well.
Use your Dad's old gun in good health.
Best,
Ted
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