Darne Sliding Breech
Société Nouvelle des Armes Darne · Shotgun · In Production · 1897
Also known as: Darne SxS, Darne Sliding Breech Block, Fusil Darne
Overview
The Darne Sliding Breech is a French side-by-side double-barreled shotgun renowned for its distinctive fixed-barrel, sliding-breech action rather than the conventional break-open hinge. First patented in the 1890s and produced in Saint-Étienne, the design keeps the barrels rigidly fixed in the receiver; the shooter raises a tilt lever at the rear of the action and slides the breech block rearward to load and eject. This unusual mechanism is prized for fast reloading, light 'between-the-hands' handling, and consistent shot patterns, and the action is still built today on high-end bespoke shotguns and double rifles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2950 g (104.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3050 g (107.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1120 mm (44.09") |
| Barrel Length | 686 mm (27.01") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12ga, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Open Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Barrels, Sliding Breech Block, Tilt Lever Locking, Automatic Ejectors, Side By Side Barrels, Engraved Action
Variants
- Darne R Series — Field Grade
- Darne V Series — Deluxe Grade
Service history
Operators
- Civilian hunters and sport shooters
Production
Production years: 1897-present
Continuously refined since the 1890s; the sliding-breech action remains in limited bespoke production by Société Nouvelle des Armes Darne.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Régis Darne
Notes
The sliding breech action also appeared on related French makers such as Charlin and Schmidt-Feres. Modern production spans 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 gauge and .410 across various grades.
Background
The Darne house was founded in Saint-Étienne in 1881 by Régis Darne, who patented the fixed-barrel sliding breech in the 1890s. The same firm also built thousands of Lewis aircraft machine guns for France during the First World War, but it is the elegant sliding-breech double gun that made the Darne name famous among shooters.