John,
Many, have. In addition to serving time in French colonies about the world, there were a few wars on the home soil, you know.

More preaching-I suggest anyone who does not live across the street from 4, ter, Rue de la Convention, across the side street from the St. Etienne chamber of commerce, avoid a project Darne like the plague. If you lived close by, it would be different. There used to be a very good restaurant in the old Manufrance commissary, across the street from the Darne works. You could get a good lunch while your gun was seen to.
But, a Darne project gun is usually a big mistake on this side of the pond.


Best,
Ted