A double barrel of I don't know
- Thread starter carlie
- Start date
jaguarxk120
New member
It's a Darne, S. A. St. Etienne, France. Made from 1881 to 1979. Worth about $350 to $600 depending on condition. There were five different grades of the sliding breach shotgun. The value I quoted is for the base model poor to fair condition.
As the grades go up so does the value to about $4500 in exc. condition.
As the grades go up so does the value to about $4500 in exc. condition.
Goatwhiskers
New member
Got to be a European design, probably a GI bringback. Should be something under the barrels if you remove the stock. Can't say I'd enjoy shooting that thing with that horizontal breech if something let go. Goat
Jim Watson
New member
It appears to be a French made Darne shotgun, for which there is a lot of information on the WWW, including a board at:
http://www.gournetusa.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=4
There will be some trademarked Bruchet made between 1981 and 1986 when Mseu Bruchet owned the tooling but not the brand name.
There is also the similar sliding breech Charlin and I think others.
http://www.gournetusa.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=4
There will be some trademarked Bruchet made between 1981 and 1986 when Mseu Bruchet owned the tooling but not the brand name.
There is also the similar sliding breech Charlin and I think others.
oneounceload
Moderator
It IS a Darne, markings should be on the barrel flats or water table of the action.
The values, depending on condition, can be worth much more than previously stated. A look at Gunsinternational.com, shows 19 for sale with prices in the 4 and 5 figure range.
The lack of embellishment on yours will lower the value compared to the others.
Is it a 12, 16, or???? That will also affect any value
St. Etienne is the french gun making region and they have several excellent companies there.
Nice heirloom
The values, depending on condition, can be worth much more than previously stated. A look at Gunsinternational.com, shows 19 for sale with prices in the 4 and 5 figure range.
The lack of embellishment on yours will lower the value compared to the others.
Is it a 12, 16, or???? That will also affect any value
St. Etienne is the french gun making region and they have several excellent companies there.
Nice heirloom
Technosavant
New member
When I'd seen the pics, I knew what it was, but couldn't remember the name (just thought "Oh, it's that one funky French thing"). 
A friend of mine is really into shotguns and had one of these at the skeet range one day just for kicks. It's a neat design- no surprises as to why it didn't catch on, but it definitely is different from the regular break actions.
A friend of mine is really into shotguns and had one of these at the skeet range one day just for kicks. It's a neat design- no surprises as to why it didn't catch on, but it definitely is different from the regular break actions.
oneounceload
Moderator
On the water table or barrel flats will be the cartridge designation - 12, 16, 20, whatever. Then there will be a chamber length in mm's - 65, 70, etc.
65 is for 2-1/2" ammo, while 70 is the current more common 2-3/4
Remember, shell length is the FIRED length, so an unfired 2-3/4 will easily fir into the chamber of a 2-1/2 gun - but is not safe to fire on a regular basis. Puttnig a 20 into a 12 or 16 will cause even more issues.
oneounceload
Moderator
One more possibility is that instead of 12, 16 or 20, you may have the bore size in mm's as well - such as 18.3 for 12 gauge.
If you have ANY doubt, a gunsmith can tell you with his bore gauge in about 3 seconds - then you can have him give the gun a good once-over to check for any hidden damages or issues that might affect safety while firing
If you have ANY doubt, a gunsmith can tell you with his bore gauge in about 3 seconds - then you can have him give the gun a good once-over to check for any hidden damages or issues that might affect safety while firing
Bill DeShivs
New member
It took them almost a hundred years to "not catch on!"
They are darned good (pun) guns.
They are darned good (pun) guns.