It was indeed midsomer murders. My guess is as to why they used a Darne is that the great majority of actual English guns have been exported to the US and the balance are under lock and key and they didn’t know anybody who owned a key.
I take a look at the Gunstar English gun sale sight a few times a month, and there is typically a Darne or two listed for sale. Often, they have English proof applied, but, I always wonder why, as French proof is higher to begin with, and both countries are signatories to the European proof laws, hence, it wouldn’t need to be repeated unless the gun was modified or out of proof.
Damn if I know.
A number 3 Halifax is likely from the 1930s, the Halifax was a bit of a loss leader, and you can get a feel for how hard times were in France by how many grades of Halifax there were-one grade means good times, up to three, man, it sucks to live here. Pretty much a keeper’s gun, regardless of grade, missing the monobloc of the R grade guns, lower grade wood and engraving as well. Many have lived hard lives wherever they ended up.
Let us know what you find.
https://www.gunstar.co.uk/Shotguns-for-sale?sstr=DarneBest,
Ted
