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
