When my wife and I first met Jérôme Lanoue, it was on his home turf in St. Etienne, France. Specifically, it was at the L’Atelier Verney-Carron production facility (see that post here). We were amazed by the beautiful work being done by each of the artisans working in Verney-Carron.
Now, though, we’re in Dallas for the annual Dallas Safari Club Convention and the first of the interviews from the DSC convention floor just so happened to be with Jérôme. It’s good to get him on our home turf.
I asked Jérôme to tell me about two of Verney-Carron’s exquisite handmade firearms that occupy both ends of the power spectrum; a relatively tiny 28-gauge side-by-side shogun and a dangerous game double gun chambered in 500 Nitro Express.
As Jérôme mentions, it takes the Verney-Carron craftsmen bout a year of painstaking work to produce custom firearms of this quality.
[Video and photos courtesy of Frances Arnold.]
Dang, wish I would have known you were there. I was there yesterday.
We just arrived late Thursday afternoon. Are you going to be here tomorrow (Saturday)?
No sir, just Thursday.
Dang. I wish we’d had the chance to meet as I’ve enjoyed your posts. Please post your itinerary for the next two years so I can arrange it.
These would so compliment my collection of Faberge eggs and Tiffany glass. Of course they are ONLY for bragging rights and showing off. Shooting them would be so gauche.
Seriously, guns like this provide some insights into the craftmanship and artistry of firearms. I personally prefer modern CNC and metallurgy for use, though I own some antique, pattern-welded guns, swords, and knives which I do not use. It’s not possible to replace or repair a 300-yr. old sword or a 125-yr. old firearm
These types of firearms just aren’t my cup of tea, but holy cow do I appreciate the skill and artistry. Amazing craftsmanship.
Ditto. Wouldn’t be on my “must have” list, but they are beauties.
Never been to DSC, but it’s on my bucket list. Looking at firearms like those are like looking at fine art. I can’t afford either, but I appreciate both.
Like so many others I’d love to be able to afford such guns. It would mean I lived a wealthy life indeed, for such toys to be within my grasp. As things are, I just look upon them as I would great works of art and buxom super-models in tiny bikinis …. all vastly beyond my reach.
I love 28 gauge.
Many, many, years ago I stumbled into a High Standard Flite (sic Flight) King vent rib skeet gun.
Years later, I got an Eibar (Spanish) side by side.
For upland game, there’s just nothing more fun than a 28.
Charles, I’m not really a shotgunner, but I love to shoot quail, dove and duck. My shotguns are all Remington 870s and 1100s. Wish I had kept that Pidgeon Grade Superposed 20 I had once. A friend and a cousin that are big time shotgunners. Bill shoots everything depending what he’s shooting. The smaller the better. Even .410. Mark likes 16. He says it carries like a 20, kills like a 12. Although, when we shot quail last year he carried a 28. Belonged to a deceased friend of his. Hunted with it in his honor.
A fitting tribute to an honored memory.
Would that we could all be so well remembered and memorialized.
Fancy overpriced shotguns….for people who live in places that don’t allow magazine fed, intermediate cartridge carbines.
Madcap, that’s not even close to fair. Between Bill and Mark they own several ARs, AKs the odd M-1A. Dozens of mags for each and thousands of rounds of ammo. Bill lives in Boston. He sent me a pic today of his new Kimber 1911. Do not speak of which you do not know.
I believe he speaks about Mr. Jérôme Lanoue and his home country.
It is a blessing to accept as a friend, any and all who love dogs and appreciate excellence in firearms … and life well lived.
The measure of a man is to be found not in his bank account but rather in his character.
Dumb comment from a poor.
V-C does make semi-automatic rifles and pump shotguns.
Good stuff Michael. I looked at Verney-Carron’s before I settled on my sabatti double rifle. It came with shotgun barrels too. Very nice setups!
Neither of these types of guns are my style. Nor is anything else the company makes.
That said, they’re gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing.
Going Sunday. Maybe I’ll check these out. Though currently they are way outta my price range! Taking two friends who have never been. It’s an amazing event every year.
Being as lightly built as they are I’m not sure their utility as a pry bar is sufficient
As I said before:
“A wonderful article about arts that are at the brink of becoming lost. It refreshing to see the acme of human creativity. However, this is soured when considering European attitudes about private firearm ownership and that these firearms do not look like anything the Proletariat could afford. This article only cements the concept that “sensible gun control” is only meant to keep firearms out of the grubby hands of the common masses, and not for the ennobled.”
Magnificque!
I have a great deal of respect for the craftsmen that build these amazing pieces. Even if I had the money I’d never own one, but they’re just so damn pretty.
This post inspired me to get off my ass and quit waffling around. Bought a new Benelli this morning.
It’s a beautiful shotgun, but a little over my budget. But it reminds me of when I lived in Escondido CA back in the 70s (military service in nearby San Diego) and there was a gun shop there that sold used guns. The owner was a friendly sort and maintained a couple of overstuffed leather wing chairs in the sales area where he’d often invite potential customers to sit down, have a beer and chat, even if the customer bought nothing. I eventually bought a trapdoor M1884 rifle and a Belgian outside hammer Damascus double from him. One day we were sitting there and he got a beautiful engraved over-under double off the wall and handed it to me. It was a Churchill, and I innocently asked what it cost. When he said $25K, I about lost it but that’s the kind of stuff he had around his shop.