Those Darne Shotguns…
Here's the 'Woodcoke' 12ga. (Click to see it way bigger, Darne USA photo.)
Lucky for France, there are other things to like about that country than its World Cup team. Take, for example, the above Darne shotgun. Wow. Never seen nor heard of these guns recently, but definitely unique-looking.
Definitely beautiful too, and in a distinctively French style.
Is it practical? We’ve never held nor fired one so can’t comment. If you have, leave us a comment and let us know.
Incidentally, the above-pictured model is listed as the “Model R Hors Serie For Woodcoke Caliber 12” on the Darne USA website. We’re assuming that’s for woodcock, and that they have much bigger woodies in Europe which require a 12ga gun!
Or maybe it’s just a bad translation, like these examples from the website:
> “The longer one works with compression in the same way of gas pressure, having a force multiplied by seven upon the key-lever.” [Err…si!]
> This line sounds kind of like email spam about you know what: “Darne Model R with little key-lever has the best mechanic power for incalculable hunting parties with the best pleasure you can wish.” [The only thing incalculable about the hunting parties we’ve been on (or is that “to?”) is the amount of shot put in the air that hasn’t connected with a bird….]
All that said, we’d love to shoot a round with a Darne at some point.
Category: Darne, Sweet guns
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Woodcoke is the french version of our woodcock. I have relation in france and I will find out why some use a 12 guage for them.
I have one, it’s an r13 the number from 10 to 19 tells you what grade it is the high the number the better the finish. Mine is a 12ga. that weights 5lbs 14 oz. has 27 1/2 inch barrels straight stock. and most of the time I shoot 1oz. shells for doves and quail. For pheasant shooting 1 1/4 oz. will be noticed it kicks. The gun seams to pattern realy well with the lighter loads and not to bad with the heavy ones.