Darne 20 Gauge R15

[Matt Buckley]

For you Darne enthusiasts out there: Darne 20 gauge R15
This particular Darne was a Stoeger import from France and marked as so on the barrels. Stoeger imported three models of Darnes from the mid 60's through the early 70's roughly and promoted heavily by Roger Barlow. This particular model is there middle grade they imported. They also imported a lower R10 grade in 12 or 20 gauge, this middle grade R15 in 12, 20, or 28 gauge and a higher V19 grade in 12, 20, and 28.

This particular R15 has the shorter 25 1/2" barrels. They also came in 27 1/2" barrels. This gun is choked ic/m. I was told before I purchased the gun that is was cyl/cyl but I figured this wasn't the case because Darnes were often over bored and a simple choke gauge in the end of the barrels is not going to give you an accurate choke reading. Actual measurements are .004 and .014. The gun weights 5lbs 12oz and shoots and patterns 7/8oz 7.5's and 6's very nicely at 40 yards. The gun is all original including the original butt plate that has shrunk up on the stock a little. Almost all of them have, it must be the type of plastic that was used.

I found this gun from the help of a fellow member who spotted this gun at all places, LL Bean in Freeport Maine. I had no idea LL Bean still had a firearms department but they do and I made a deal for this Darne. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

[6pt-Sika]

I had a little Darne 20 thirtyfive years ago , but mine was unengraved think it weighed about 5 1/2 pounds . Nice little grouse/quail gun but on the skeet field it would pound you . Yours looks quite a bit nicer than the one I had .

[Jim Beilke]

That little 20 is in great shape. Looks like you found a dandy.

[Matt Buckley]

It is said that you will never find a Darne that shoots loose because of there design. There is not the wear points on a Darne action like on a typical box lock/sidelock type action. The design and engineering of these shotguns fascinates me.