16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My old shooting coach and hunting partner passed away recently and bequeathed unto me his American Arms Grulla #2 16 with 26" bbls choked IC/M with ejectors, hand detachable sidelocks, and color case hardened finish. It is an incredibly beautiful gun and the fit and finish are near perfection; much tighter than on any production Browning or Beretta that I own.

Grulla seems to figure into Michael McIntosh's "Best Guns" when discussing Spanish "best" I'd be interested if anyone knows about the history of Grulla in the USA, who imported them etc.

I'd never sell it given the sentimentality behind it but I'd be interested in knowing how much he valued our friendship. Anyone know what it's worth Question

My 2 year old Gun Traders Guide says $2500/excellent, $1700/good condition. It doesn't list a 16, only the 12, 20, & 410.

Dennis

These are very good guns, indeed. For more info, go to: www.doubleshotguns.com

This is the website for Lion Country Supply, the primary US importer of Grulla...

OSL

Member Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 398 Location: S Fl

Are you sure about the model number?

Also, assuming it's a pre '96 gun, there should be a date code on the water table, something like G1 or A2. If it's post 95 the date will be part of the serial number. Knowing when it was made might help us nail down the value.

Pete

Get a copy of Terry Wieland's Spanish Best: The Fine Shotguns of Spain

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Best-Fine-Shotguns-Spain/dp/0924357444/sr=1-2/qid=1168283015/ref=sr_1_2/102-9592549-4204958?ie=UTF8&s=books

Hc

Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pete, the number would appear to be G2. The strike is faint. The serial number does not include any letters and if my reading of the proof charts are correct, this gun should have been proofed in 1987.

Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pete, one other thing. "Model 2" is engraved on both sides of the receiver.

Member Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 398 Location: S Fl

Frank,
Right on, it's from '87. I found reference to Grulla guns from the mid to late 80s imported by both Orvis and G&H, and apparently American Arms.

In 1987 Grulla had a line of 14 different models ranging from the 209E($450) to the No 1 (about $4000). I'm not sure where the No2 fits in that range, but from your description it's likely near the top. Shortly thereafter they reduced the number of models down to 1/2 dozen or so on the theory that fewer models would allow them to improve quality overall. It seems to have worked.

They currently have about 5 or 6 importers, Harry Marx (Ibelieve the 1st to import them), GSI, Fieldsport, Dales Decoy Den, and Lion Country. Though it looks like starting this year all the others will have to buy their guns through GSI. Not sure how this will shake out yet.

I recently saw a 12 ga Windsor from the 80s go for about $4k. The Windsor, an easy opener, is currently their 3rd most expensive model after the Royal and Consort. I assume your gun is not a self opener, but it's in the currently more desirable gauge. The short barrels are not in fashion, but there's still a market, so............value????....................
How about $4-5k ???

And I would second the suggestion to get a copy of Spanish Best if you want more info on the 6 or 7 makers of high grade guns in Spain.

Pete

Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Thank you for a very thorough analysis and SWAG (Scientific, Wild-Assed, Guess). I share with you another way of SWAGing the value. My 2000 Gun Trader listed the American Arms Grulla No 2 at about $2500 but not in the 16 ga. In fact they don't report a No. 2 being made in 16. They had a section on valuing the gun and they note that the prices they quote are for excellent condition guns. However, they go on to state that there are grades above excellent namely mint or unfired and New In Box. Such guns are 125% of the value stated. Since my posting, I took this Grulla to my gunsmith whose considered opinion was that this gun was never fired and is in mint condition. So, using the Gun Trader methodology, the 2000 value would be about $3125. I really don't know how to convert that into today's values or what those values might be. These things aren't getting cheaper and that's for sure.

The fact is that the entry level Grulla today is about 4K and the Holland style hand opener on the side locks is an extra cost. I've got what could pass for an H&H, right down to the cocking indicators, bushed firing pins, gas ports, and all the screwhead aligned fore and aft in the same direction. What a wonderful legacy.

The gunsmith I took it to measured the chokes. He reports the chokes on this 6.25lb gun are .009 and .014. So right barrel is somewhere between a skeet and improved cylinder and the left just shy of light mod/skeet 2. With the straight English stock this gun is an ideal grouse gun.

I asked the gunsmith if I should be shooting this gun or storing it. While he urged me to take good care with it and not show it inclement weather, he was of the opinion that a good gun is made to shoot and I should do so. And I will. And every time I do so, I'll think of my mentor and what he meant to me and I to him.

Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 46

Could you share some pictures of this gun ,as I am unfamiliar with this vintage grulla. Have seen a few union armera, but not american arms guns!