Darne ~ Sliding Breech Shotgun ~ 20 Gauge: French Darne sliding breech side by side shotgun in 20 gauge. Overall condition is excellent with some minor wear to the case coloring to the rear of the sliding breech near the wrist of the stock. Chambers: 2 3/4, Metal Condition: Excellent, Wood Condition: Excellent, Bore Condition: Excellent, Barrels: 26″ Barrels, Triggers: Double, Fore End: Checkered Walnut, Butt Pad: Factory Plastic Darne Butt Plate, Sights: Brass Metal Front Bead, Chokes: CYL/CYL. Price:$1,599.99
Some guys like pointers; some guys like setters. And some guys even like dogs like Wirehaired griffons. If you’re one of those guys who like things that are a little different, this double is for you.
It’s a Darne. Patented in 1881 by gunmaker Regis Darne, these double feature a very unique sliding actions which moves back from the barrels to expose the chambers. It’s an unusual design, and like griffs, not for everyone.
I’m not sure what grade this one is, but it is a nice looking double with a lot of genuine looking finish. The engraving is pretty nice, too. If quirky is your thing, you should grab it before it’s gone.
Darne – SxS – 16 ga: Price: $2,400.00
Shotgun type: SxS
Action: Boxlock
Ejectors: No
Trigger: Double
Grip: Straight Grip
Forend: Checkered
Lop: 14 3/8 ”
Pad thickness: ”
Type of butt: Factory
Drop comb: 1 1/2 ”
Drop heel: 2 ”
Cast amount: 0 ”
Cast:
Weight: 6 lbs, 8 oz
Manufactured in: France
Manufacture Year: Finish: Case Colored
Overall condition: Good
Stock condition: Good
Metal condition: Good
Stock: Original finish
Metal: Original finish
Type of Case: none
Barrel info:
Gauge: 16 ga
Chamber: 2 1/2 ”
Length: 29 ”
Chokes: C/M
Rib type: Concave
Back in the 19th century, the French were some of the most inventive gunmakers in the world. In many ways, men like Pauly — inventor of the self-contained cartridge — and Lefecheaux — inventor of the drop barrel, breech loading shotgun — created the modern side-by-side shotgun. Regis Darne, another frenchman, was just as inventive, even if his famous Darne sliding-breech shotgun had less impact on the shooting world.
Patented in 1897, the Darne shotgun is still being made today – and it’s as peculiar now as it was 100+ years ago. I’ve owned a couple them. People either love or hate the design, and I wasn’t on the love side. But other folks rave about the Darne’s light weight and unique action. If you’re one of these love folks, the Darne you see here is worth checking out. It’s on Gunbroker.com now, and the auction ends on 1/5/2014 @ 9:00 PM ET.
Darne V19 16 gauge Double Barrel, SxS Shotgun: Exceptional Darne V19 sliding breech 16ga shotgun. Built in the late 60’s or early 70’s. Beautiful wood with original Darne buttplate. Gun is in original and excellent overall condition and appears to have been fired very little. Barrels measure approximately 27.5″ choked modified and full, excellent bores. LOP measures 15.25″ to front trigger and 14.25″ to rear trigger. Gun weighs 5.75″. Nicely engraved. It would be hard to find a nicer example of this gun.
Macon Brother’s Auctions in Walla Walla, WA, has a handful of nice looking doubles coming up tomorrow. You can check all of them out here. These are the ones that caught my eye:
DARNE MODEL P17 SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN
DARNE MODEL P17 20 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN: SN 4S545; 20GA; 2-3/4″ CHAMBERS; 25-3/4″ BARRELS; IMPROVED CYLINDER & LIGHT MODIFIED CHOKES; 15″ LOP; DROP TO COMB 1-5/8″; DROP TO HEEL 2-1/2″ TO STOCK & 2-5/8″ TO PAD; CAST OFF; ENGRAVED FRAME; CHECKERED STOCK & FORE END; SLIDING BREECH; RECOIL PAD; 5.85LBS TOTAL WEIGHT; SOFT CASE.
WILLIAM EVANS 16 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN: SN 5649; “WILLIAM EVANS FROM PURDEY’S, 65 PALL MALL, ST. JAME’S, LONDON”; 16GA; 2-3/4″ CHAMBERS; 28″ BARRELS; MODIFIED & FULL CHOKES; 14-5/8″ LOP; DROP TO COMB 1-1/2″; DROP TO HEEL 2-5/8″ TO STOCK & 2-3/4″ TO PAD; CAST OFF; ENGRAVED FRAME; CHECKERED STOCK & FORE END; RECOIL PAD; 6.05LBS TOTAL WEIGHT; WILLIAM EVANS HARD CARRY CASE.
WILLIAM EVANS 16 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUNWEBLEY & SCOTT 20 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN
WEBLEY & SCOTT 20 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN: SN 129817; 20GA; 2-3/4″ CHAMBERS; SINGLE TRIGGER; 28″ BARRELS; MODIFIED & FULL CHOKE; 14-5/8″ LOP; DROP TO COMB 1-3/8″; DROP TO HEEL 2-5/8″; CAST OFF; ENGRAVED FRAME; CHECKERED STOCK & FORE END; CASE COLORED; SHELL EXTRACTORS; 5.65LBS TOTAL WEIGHT; SMALL RECOIL PAD.
AYA AGUIRRE-ARENZABAL 12 GAUGE MODEL 2 SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN: SN 437736; 12GA; 2-3/4″ CHAMBERS; 26″ BARRELS; IMPROVED & MODIFIED CHOKES; 14-9/16″ LOP; DROP TO COMB 1-9/16″; DROP TO HEEL 2-7/16″ TO STOCK & 2-1/2″ TO PAD; CAST OFF; ENGRAVED FRAME; CASE COLORED; CHECKERED STOCK & FORE END; 6.65LBS TOTAL WEIGHT; RECOIL PAD.
AYA AGUIRRE-ARENZABAL MODEL 2 12 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUNWEBLEY & SCOTT 12 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN
WEBLEY & SCOTT 12 GAUGE SIDE X SIDE SHOTGUN: SN 123521; 12GA; 2-1/2″ CHAMBERS; 28″ BARRELS; IMPROVED CYLINDER (SKEET) & IMPROVED CYLINDER MODIFIED CHOKES; 14-3/4″ LOP; DROP TO COMB 1-3/4″; DROP TO HEEL 2-3/4″ TO STOCK & 2-7/8″ TO PAD; CAST OFF; ENGRAVED FRAME; CASE COLORED; CHECKERED STOCK & FORE END; RECOIL PAD; 6.60LBS TOTAL WEIGHT; WEBLEY & SCOTT HARD CASE.
Carol Watson’s Orange Coast Auctions in Irvine, CA, is having a big gun auction this weekend, starting tomorrow, 8/3 @ 10am, Pacific. There are a lot of shotguns coming up. Here are a few of the doubles that caught my eye:
John Krider, Phila. 8 Ga. Perc. Market Double Barrel Shotgun
John Krider, Phila. 8 Ga. Perc. Market Shotgun: Philadelphia made 8 Ga. Percussion Double Barrel Market Shotgun, by John Krider, 28” barrels, sideplates, hammer, triggerguard and buttplate are lightly engraved and marked ”John Krider”; barrel flat engraved ”Philadelphia”. Condition is about fine with trace case colors to lockplate and hammers. Barrels have toned brown. Checkering shows only the slightest flattening with a very small repair at toe of stock. Good functioning action, good bores, with beautiful original hickory ramrod. Estimate: $8,000-$10,000.
Remington Grade 2 Model 1878 SxS Double Barrel Shotgun
Remington Grade 2 Model 1878 SxS Shotgun: Heavy Duck Side-by-Side Shotgun, #6033, 10 ga., 32” damascus barrels, checkered stock and forend, steel buttplate, case hardened frame, hammers and thumb lever. Mfg’d 1878-1882. Condition is very good retaining approx. 20%-30% thinning and toning brown to barrels, 50% thinning and silvering case colors to frame, hammer and lever. Stock with slight scuffs and dings, minor flattening to checks at pistol grip and somewhat more moderate to forend. Missing the head of left hammer screw. Action is crisp, bores are bright. Estimate : $800-$1,200.
12 gauge Parker Bros. G Grade SxS Double Barrel Shotgun
Parker G Grade SxS Shotgun: #131065, 12 ga., 28” fine damascus barrels, lightly engraved case hardened frame, select figured American pistol-grip checkered stock, Parker Bros. hard rubber checkered butt pad, double trigger with extractors. Mfg’d 1904. Condition is fine to near excellent. Barrel shows just minor thinning to damascus pattern, with minor thinning to case color on frame at balance point. Stock shows minor flattening to checks, somewhat more pronounced on forend, with minor impressions. Action is crisp, bores are right. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000.
Lot # 217 W.W. Greener ”The Trapgun” SxS Shotgun
W.W. Greener ”The Trapgun” SxS Shotgun: #35004, 12 ga., 27-3/4” damascus barrels with unchoked bores, smooth game rib, exposed hammers, double trigger, with Prince of Wales pistol-grip checkered walnut stock and large heavy beavertail forend. Top of barrels marked ”W.W. Greener THE TRAPGUN. 68 Haymarket, London”. Mfg’d approx. 1886. Condition is fine with light thinning and silvering to damascene patterned barrels. Frame and sidelocks retain approx. 75% original finish. Stocks with light scuffs and minor flattening to checks. Action is tight, bores are bright. Front bead is missing, and barrels may have been shortened. Length of pull 14”. Estimate: $1,800-$2,400.
Lot # 222 16 gauge Darne Model R-13 SxS Sliding Breech Shotgun
16 gauge Darne Model R-13 SxS Sliding Breech Shotgun: 27” blue barrels, floral engraved case hardened frame, double triggers, ejectors, straight checkered stock and horn-tipped forend, with leather sling. Condition is very good to near fine retaining approx. 92% re-blackened barrels. Case colors to frame have mostly gone silver. Stock with minor flattening, small holes to left side cheekpiece from an old cheek pad, repair at heel behind rear sling swivel, and ¼” hole just forward of triggerguard that may be original. Buttplate shows repairs and is missing lower screw. Action is crisp, bores are fine and bright. Estimate: $800-$1,200.
One-of-a-Kind Angelo Bee Exhibition Grade Engraved and 4-Color Gold Inlaid Belgian Browning Model 25
One-of-a-Kind Angelo Bee Exhibition Grade Engraved and 4-Color Gold Inlaid Belgian Browning Model 25: Over/Under Shotgun, #2883F69, 28 ga., 26-1/2” vent rib barrel, straight grip Exhibition Grade walnut stock with false three-piece checkered forend. Left scene depicts fighting pheasants; right scene with pintail ducks setting down, with classic Belgian scrolls and gold inlaid flora. Bottom of stock is extensively inlaid with multi-colored gold wire design and game birds. Buttstock is additionally inlaid with false sidelock type plates with large duck and pheasant motif in gold. Angelo Bee told us that it was is first foray into double border inlays in his career and this gun is from his personal collection. Condition is excellent with breathtaking designs. Estimate: $18,000-$24,000.
HOLLAND & HOLLAND DOUBLE HAMMER RIFLE .500 3 1/4″: 27″ steel barrels, ramp front sight with folding night sight. Two leaf rear express sight. Lightly engraved back action locks and rebounding hammers. Stock dimensions LOP: 14 1/2″ Comb: 1 1/2″ Heel: 2 1/4″ Weight: 9lbs 2oz. Super untouched original barrel blue. The action and locks are lightly engraved and retain areas of casehardening with the remainder fading to a pleasing mottled gray. Mint bores and tight action. Beautiful wood and checkering. Left side of the receiver engraved “CHARGE 5 DRAMS, CASE 3 1/4 INCHES”. Price: 12,500
12 gauge A.H. Fox XE grade Double Barrel Shotgun
1916 Ansley H. Fox XE Grade 12ga: Serial # 23670, Made in 1916, Philadelphia, PA. This gun is in +95% Condition. Hand Engraving. This gun is a fine piece of American craftsmanship. This gun has been shot very little. 2 5/8” chambers, 28” bbls, Full & Mod, Chromox steel, #4 weight, 13 ¾” X 1 5/8” x 2 ¾”, 6lbs 13oz. Price: $11,995.00
CHURCHILL REGAL XXV ORIGINAL CASE: 12g Boxlock Ejectors: Nice original cased Churchill XXV Regal. 25” bbls. This Churchill is in very good condition and with a 59xx serial number is an early 30’s gun. Nice dimensions on a straight grip DAC 1 ½ X DAH 2 ¼ X LOP 14 to end of pad, with a 5/8 cast off for a right handed shooter. 6lbs. Priced to sell $3975.00.
DM LEFEVER #7 GRADE 16 GAUGE: 28″ MOD AND FULL 2 3/4 SINGLE SELECT TRIIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT CONDITION THE WOOD IS PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED 6LB 6 OZ X 2 1/2 X 1 3/4 X 13 FROM REAR SINGLE TRIGGER. Price: $7,500.00
16 gauge Darne Halifax Double Barrel Shotgun
Darne Halifax 16 Gauge: Retains most of the case color on the action with blue in similar condition. 25 ½” bbls, 2 ½” chambers, double triggers, straight stock, 14 1/8″ LOP. 1 3/4″ DAC. 2 5/8″ DAH. 1/4″ cast on (for left-handed shooter), Price: $1,499.99
The French love quirky shotguns. One of the quirkiest they’ve come up with is the sliding breech double barrel. Darne is the most popular maker of these side-by-sides. But there was another company who turned out doubles on the same odd-ball idea: Charlin.
16 gauge Charlin Double Barrel Shotgun
I’ve owned a couple Darnes and handled a few Charlins. For some reason, the actions on the Charlins have had a smoother, more refined feeling. That being said, there’s a problem Charlins: they’re hard to find. When you do come across, they’re usually expensive.
But not this one looks like your chance to get one at a decent price. While it looks a bit rough, and its’ probably a low-grade model, it is a real Charlin. And you just don’t see that every day.