doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Darne V21 pics

Bill,
Early 1970s. The gun was imported from England to here. I have no idea how it got to England, but, between the time it was built and the time I got it, somebody loved it a lot. They spent money boring and plugging the checkered butt to correct the balance, put an initial plate in the stock with their initials on it, and literally wore the blueing off the triggers.
The gun is very well broken in, and a simple pleasure to use. I'm going to keep it up, after I get the stock that has about 1/2" of cast off replaced.

Best,
Ted

Thanks Bill,
I'm sure taking it to France would be fairly easy. Getting it 'just right might be harder. Some UK gunsmiths have said that the design makes the triggers difficult to adjust finely. It's a gun I like to own for its engineering and interest, but I have others I prefer to shoot.
I now actually do almost all my shooting with an AyA No 1 - despite having several English guns - simply because I seem to do better with it.
Trigger pulls are very individual and I have found that some makes always seem to need attention to suit me! I have two Merkel sidelocks, and both have needed work for the triggers to suit me. My AyA was set up and fitted for me by an English gunsmith and I think the triggers may have been 'fine tuned' then.
Unfortunately I find that I notice differences in triggers very easily - which can be a curse at times!

You and I both, John!

SRH

Photo courtesy Matt Brown of my V21 Darne here
http://losgi.com/darne.html

What magnificent photos! Thanks for posting them, John!

That is a good looking V21, John. From what I am told, it is very easy to find gunmakers with the skill set to adjust and work on Darne guns around St. Etienne.
I'll send you a PM with a reliable contact, who could help you out, if you wish.

They, all models of Darne guns, that is, are a much more common beast in that part of the world. My V19 will be in France this fall for the work I want done to it. If I'm going to own it, it might as well fit.
I can't say the triggers need any work, however. I'd call both my V guns perfect in that regard. My R is a bit creepy, on the first barrel, but, I've had it so long and shot it so much that I don't even think about it anymore.
I also own a Spanish gun, an Uggy boxlock that I went to the trouble to have fitted and vetted by an expert, here in the states. I'm reluctant to sell guns, as a rule, and very much so when I get one tuned to my specs.
Use the V, and, the AYA, in good health, John. They are both a notch above average.


Best,
Ted

Thanks Ted, its a kind offer, but I'm not going to get myself over to St Etienne. I'm a reluctant traveller at the best of times - and tend to head in the opposite direction (Scotland) when I do travel! I love the country and the shooting available there, though it is walked up (red grouse) and getting hard work as the years advance ......
My Darne is 100% safe and usable (if it was too light a trigger I should have to do something), and I have several other guns, so I'm afraid that maybe one day - the next owner will either get it done - or not notice a problem.
Once again, thanks for the offer.

Bill,
Chiseling breech balls must have been a crummy job. From what I have seen, it is one of the hardest jobs to get right, not just on a Darne.

John,
I wouldn't anticipate you would have to travel to France to get this work done. My contact goes each summer, and arranges for work on a variety of guns, returning with them after a month or so.
The gun could be transported in the right time frame, the work handled, and transported back. You almost need a native to shepherd and pull that off, and he is.

Let me know.

Best,
Ted

Thanks Ted. I'm fairly sure that (remember I'm in the UK) it can be sent only between registered dealers/gunsmiths (I'm not a dealer, only a private license holder), but can't be sent to or from a private holder. The interface of the private individual with the dealer must be face to face. I could use a UK dealer to do it - or might be easiest to travel to France (we can do ferry/tunnel). I'm not sure, but you can certainly take guns by car and the paperwork is fairly straightforward I believe.
If I ever do decide to do it, I will come and ask for details, but at present I can't see me doing it. The offer is very much appreciated though.

What a beautiful gun! Gil