doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Darne-- what do I have? Thank You WaltH

Walt,
If you email the photos to me, I will get them up for you, and will likely be able to tell you what you have. I have some background in the guns, I guess I could say.

tedjs@usfamily.net

Best,
Ted

Walt's gun:








Walt has, from what I can see, a 1960's-70's vintage R15 in 12 gauge. Astute Darne students will note it was triple proofed with 2 3/4" chambers, and the gun was proofed in St. Etienne in a finished state. The SPC letters in the serial number indicate a gun with special length short barrels, and, because it was special ordered, make an exact date of manufacture impossible to determine by the serial number.
There is enough choke in the left barrel that the factory didn't want you using pumpkin ball slugs in it. 18.2mm, measured 9" from the breech face is a typical bore for a French 12 gauge.

If Walt gave us a clear shot of the importers stamp on the top of the barrel, we could get closer on the date-I'm guessing a Stoeger or James Wayne import. I literally can't tell from the photos if the gun has a straight stock, or demi-pistolet, or, if the original butt plate is still on the gun, always a nice find instead of, say, a white line pad of some sort.

A wonderful all around gun for a variety of upland bird hunting, if it fits you, in my opinion. Nice to have a 12 with few limitations on ammunition, and being able to use modern, off the shelf, 2 3/4 ammunition without regard to pressure. Being an R15 it has some nice little extra features, like a horn fore end tip and obturator discs.

Enjoy, Walt.


Best,
Ted

There is no importers name on rib, only "Made in France" about 4.5' forward of receiver, stock is not straight but small pistol grip and the butt plate looks to be a replacement marked "Le Fusil Darne Saint-Etienne Paris Made in France". Barrels are 25.5" and hollow under rib.
Again thank you for the info.
WaltH

Walt,
Could have made it's way here via another country as a used gun. There is also the possibility it simply didn't get marked with an importers name (hey, it happened, back in the day). From what I could see, the wood appears to be very nice. Neither US importer I mentioned was known for nice wood in their offerings, but, it did happen from time to time.
I doubt the buttplate is a replacement. They are a composition of a primitive plastic, horse hooves, and lord knows what else, and tend to shrink, over time.
The barrels without under rib are common on Darne guns.
Certainly a useful gun if you can make it work.

Good Luck.


Best,
Ted

Ted,
Fully functional in 90%+ condition. Wood is nice if you look at photo marked img 9775.jpg you will see a knot on wood at wrist that makes me worry. Well taken care of, no rust or corrosion.
Walt

Walt,
That one didn't make it through to me. If you want to try again, feel free.

Looks like a nice gun.

Best,
Ted