A problem with comparing prices on guns here with the same guns in Europe, is that only really rich people can afford to hunt in Europe. That tends to squew the price comparison a bit. Remember, also, geographical location can and does have an effect on price. Also, Europeans have vastly different ideas on what is cool in a shotgun then Americans-one look at a scalloped cheekpiece, or a perchbelly buttstock will open your eyes to this phenomenon.
I looked at used guns the last time I was in St. Etienne, and came across a used Charlin 16, asking price about $3000 in US frogskins. I had purchased, a few years prior, an identicle, low grade 16, in better shape, for all of $600. So much for making money on used stuff, I thought.
My observation at the time was that most French hunters have gone the same route as most US hunters, and prefer an autoloader, pump, or O/U, usually in 12 gauge. The doubles were mostly an anacronism, and used by only a few. Sound familiar?
A Charlin is cool, no doubt, and many are the folks that are surprised by how smooth the action opens and closes on the guns. But, remember, that is only the case on a cocked gun, when the action is being cycled just for fun-a Charlin takes just as much effort to cock the action as a good old Darne, so the smooth thing is 'sorta irrelevant. Cool, but, irrelevant.
Charlins were produced by the Darne company from 1955, when Charlin went out of business and the remains were bought by Darne, until 1965, when they were quietly discontinued, along with P model Darnes. There exist, Charlin marked guns on Darne P actions. I don't know where these fit in the scheme of things, but, bet it was a cleanup of parts thing that didn't last long.
My favorite slider, hands down, is a Darne R model, followed (distantly) by anything else. Others feel differently, and thats OK. Let us know what happens.
Best,
Ted
