20 Gauge Darne Grade?

[John Gardner]

Hi all,
Trying to learn more about what appears to be a very utilitarian Darne 20. The mechanics on this gun are well done and slickly made but calling the outer hull aesthetics 'field grade' is being generous. Telling the grade is supposed to be done by counting the grade stamps on the barrel flat and adding ten but...help please, this doesn't seem to add up to me.

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[charlie cleveland]

nice... charlie

[Don Kaas]

Ask Geoffroy Gournet. He is the Darne guy.

[John Gardner]

thank you Don

[Bill Zachow]

I have a very similar Darne 20, purchased in the early 70s for $175, I think. I do not know the exact grade either but suspect your basic "field grade". Mine has beautiful case colors but an off colored (blonde) stock. Have only shot it once in the past 40 years due to the very short stock. Mine has an articulated front trigger and ejectors. The side safe is a real pain. Does yours have the deeply swamped top rib and no bottom rib?

[John Gardner]

Sorry for late response Bill. The top rib does taper much thicker towards the breech end but it also has a not untypical bottom rib and it does have ejectors too. The price and vintage you mention seem about right to me.