Guns & Outdoors Forum

Not very often that an Englishman compliments something French. A nation that will eat pondlife and garden pests (frogs and snails) and then boast about its cuisine! Anyway, this from the gun cabinet is rather ingenious in its simplicity. Sometimes caller the 'Baby' Bretton it is probably one of the lightest over/under 12 bore doubles made. The action is all alloy and the guns weighs in at a gnat's whisker under 5 pounds; and yes, it does kick! Pleasant to use with 21 gram and 25 gram loads (3/4 ounce and 7/8 ounce). To open the gun rotate the side lever counter clockwise for about 60 degrees and this both cocks the action and releases pressure on two steel balls which fit two semi circular recesses in two steel guide rods which allow the barrels to slide forwards for loading. Load two cartridges and slide the barrels back towards the breech and lock the action by rotating the side lever clockwise until it reaches its stop point. Gun is now ready to fire. No safety catch and double triggers.

To clean is even simpler. Check it is unloaded and then close the action again. Remover the two choke tubes by unscrewing ( finger tight - no tools) loosen and slide off the plastic yoke separating the muzzle end of the barrels and then simply unscrew the barrels in turn from the action face. Clean in the conventional manner and then reverse the process again. Spare barrels can be obtained including rifled ones for solid slug hunting. A double shotgun, a double rifle of combination. I told you it was innovative! This example is the De-lux model and has 28 inch barrel tubes.

Frog legs are amazing. Go eat some beans for breakfast.

Second photo to show action open. Had some trouble with adding picture to first post.

No thanks CPJ!

Forgot to add the bit about the catch on the side which can be just lifted with the thumb and then the forend just slides off.

Is that the model with the aluminum alloy barrels? I know there was virtually no rib on the barrels, just a removable band at the muzzle to keep them together. Which also added to the light weight.

That interesting, I’ve never seen one like that

I like it! Another unique piece. When were these manufactured?

Very cool. The action is stupid simple.
And Chris, I can't stomach anything that had green skin

I've no idea what the barrel metal is exactly but they are quite lightweight and surprisingly thin. I don't know when it was made exactly. Also i forgot to add that it has 2 3/4" chambers.

This is their current website. https://bretton-gaucher.com/ They only seem to make a few models. A friend has the fully moderated (silenced) .410 bolt action gun.

I tested one in 20-gauge for American Rifleman in the 1990s. Technical Editor at the time was concerned that the opening latch might strike the shooter in the web of the trigger hand. I guess it's possible, but didn't happen with the 20-gauge.

I would think that they are ideal for shooting quail in cover where quick handling is required. I've only ever seen them in 12 bore. I would think that the 20 bore would be very light indeed.

That's a nice looking piece of history. You got me nostalgic for a .410 bolt gun now.

The .410 bolt action; best model is the Webley & Scott one. Also some were made by B.S.A. on old Leespeed actions which are very good. The W&S was the first gun I went shooting with. Shot a lot of rabbits with that one.

Those are too ugly
A perch belly mossy is finer