Franz Sodia | Dogs and Doubles

Two real nice Euro O/Us: A 12 gauge Sodia and a .410 Merkel…

December 22, 2013 by Gregg

MERKEL, .410 Over-Under Double Barrel Shotgun, 28” bbls F/F

I have a fondness for older, European O/Us, especially for ones like you see below. The doubles have everything you need — 28″ bbls, decent dimensions — and they appear to be beautifully made and in good original condition.

One thing: I would double-check the chambers on the 12 gauge. They may have come from the factory or 3″, or someone may have bored them out. Buyer beware.

MERKEL, .410 Over-Under Double Barrel Shotgun, 28” bbls F/F: Round knob pistol grip, single trigger, serrated horn butt plate, cocking indicators, solid rib, automatic ejectors, late 1920’s manufacture, scalloped and rebated receiver, imported by A.F. Stoeger, completely original untouched gun, highest quality between the wars workmanship, an extremely small-action tiny gun. 14” x 1 5/8” x 2 ½”. 5lbs. 11oz. Price: $13,995

Franz Sodia Model Over Under Shotgun, 12 Gauge, 28″ bbls: Beautifully engraved case hardened receiver shows minimal signs of wear and use. The barrels are 28″ long and choked full and full. The barrel has a ventilated rib with a matte finish and a silver bead. The barrels have a blued finish with a few small scratches, and wear around the muzzle. The European Walnut buttstock and forearm are finely hand checkered, and have a few minor scratches from regular use. The buttpad is fitted with a Pachmayr Decelerator buttpad. Price: $3,799.99

Caliber:	12 Gauge
Chambers:	3
Metal:	Very Good
Wood:	Very Good
Bore:	Bright and Shiny
Barrels:	28
Triggers:	Double Triggers
Stock:	European Walnut
Fore End:	European Walnut
Butt Pad:	Pachmayr Decelerator
Weight:	7 lb 2 oz
Sights:	Silver Bead
Chokes:	F/F

My 5 favorite doubles, powered by Gunsinternational.com…

December 2, 2012 by Gregg

It was a good week for double-barrel shotguns. Several nice O/U and side-by-sides hit the market, including the ones listed below.

Boss, 20 ga, O/U: 26” barrels, Choked M/F, single selective trigger, ventilated top rib, 2 ¾” chamber, straight grip, checkered butt, 95% original, case color hardening, 98% blue, wood finish and checkering. Even though I’ll never be able to afford a Boss O/U, I sure like looking at them. The workmanship on them is usually outstanding.

WESTLEY RICHARDS SIDELOCK 20g. OVERALL a 95% ORIG GUN- 26″ EJECT- 98% ORIG CASE COLORS- 98% ENGRAVED- 5 Lbs. 9 Oz: Made in 1965, 26″ Ejector Dovetail Lump barrels, original 2 3/4″ chambers. 14 3/4 LOP. Even though this Westly is expensive ($25,900), it’s still a great deal at.

John Dickson & Son Round Action Trigger Plate Side by Side 12 Bore Ejector: Circa 1949, double triggers, 6 pounds 8 ounces. Best bouquet and scroll engraving, 60-70% original case color. 14 7/8″ LOP. 28 inch chopper lump barrels. Some guys really love Dickson. It you’re one of them, you should jump on this one.

FRANZ SODIA FERLACH 12ga. SxS: Chambered for 2 1/2″ & 2 3/4″ shells. Automatic safety, ejectors, double triggers, weight 6lbs. LOP is 14 1/2″, barrels are 27 1/2″. Sodia made some very nice shotguns. If you’re into high quality and low prices, I would check this one out.

12 gauge Beretta 686 O/U, straight stock

BERETTA – 686 Onyx – RARE Factory English Stock: 1989 – Beretta – 686 Onyx – 12ga, 26-1/2″, 3″ Chambers, Vent Rib, English Stock, LOP 14-3/4″ over the Factory pad, Drop 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″ Weight 7 lbs. 2 oz. Condition 98+% – Clearly used very little. Includes: Three Chokes – IC / M / F and Choke Wrench. This is just a great pheasant gun.

And just for fun, check out these awesome percussion pistols:

Fantastic Purdey Dueling Pistol, 1 of a pair

James Purdey .51 Dueling Pistols: Pair of James Purdey Dueling pistols. Barrels have 98% of their original Damascus pattern finish. Locks, hammers and buttcaps have 100% original case colors. Stocks are excellent to near mint with crisp checkering. Trigger guards have 90% original blue. Simply awesome. Check out the pics of these guns to see just how well made are. As good as it gets.

Found: a double that’s hard to find…

May 29, 2012May 28, 2012 by Gregg

Here’s a challenge: Find a 6.5-6.75lb vintage double barrel shotgun with shootable dimensions, 28″+ barrels, two triggers, 2 3/4″ chambers, and a price tag that’s under $1000.

Franz Sodia 12 gauge Boxlock Ejector Double Barrel Shotgun

It’s hard to do. That’s why this Franz Sodia on Griffin & Howe’s used gun list caught my eye. It has it all: light weight, long barrels, a straight stock, a quality name, and, best of all, a low price. Basically, it looks like a great bird gun. And even though it looks like it has a few issues (the pitting in the left bbl), it looks like it’s also a great deal.

(But if you buy it, make sure you have your own gunsmith go over it closely before you OK the deal.)

Here’s G&H’s info about the gun:

Franz Sodia – Scalloped BLE – 12 ga – $850.00

Trigger: Double
Grip: Straight Grip
Forend: Splinter
Lop: 15 1/8 ”
Pad thickness: 1 ”
Type of butt: Pachmayr Vent Pad
Drop @ comb: 1 3/8 ”
Drop @ heel: 2 1/2 ”
Cast amount: 0 ”
Cast:
Weight: 6 lbs, 4 oz

Comments : Inside left barrel has some pits. Right barrel okay inside. Outside of barrels has some surface rust & minor pitting. Finish wear on outside surfaces. Gun sound and tight. Mars and handling marks on wood.

Franz Sodia 12 gauge Boxlock Ejector Double Barrel Shotgun