16ga.com ~ View topic

There's a local internet seller, Cherry's Fine Guns in Greensboro, NC, that has this;

Franz Sodia, 16 Gauge Over And Under, 26" Barrels Choked Imp.Cyl./Imp.Cyl., Gun Has Beautifully Engraved False Side Plates, Gorgeous Wood With Skipline Checkering, Cheekpiece, Three-Piece Forend, Gun Is 98% Overall

Anyone ever heard of this maker?

Its quality?

Member Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Illinois

He is an Austrian maker from Ferlach. You can expect the quality to be very high. His guns that I have seen offered are normally very expensive.

Here is a bit about Ferlach.

http://itishooting.com/Ferlach.asp

Is it anything like club sodia?

Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 694 Location: MN

Don't be surprised if this gun is kind of heavy. I'd be surprised it its under 7lb.

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 602 Location: western pa

I checked one out at a gunshow a few yrs. ago.Top quality mtl. and workmanship. I agree, it felt like 7+lbs,but well balanced.The 3500 price and barrels located in the wrong plane made me pass on it.OK, it was the $3500 that scared me. Laughing

Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 694 Location: MN

I lived in Germany for years and a good side plated Sodia is a desireable gun. Such a gun would probably cost that much in Germany so that's a pretty good price if you haggle a bit. I think Waffen Hof has a sideplated Ferlach for sale right now for about 2900Eu (about $3800). Depends on condition. But be careful-may not be a gun that comes up too well or that swings too well. Some of them are kind of bulky, thick wristed, not particularly well balanced.

Member Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 743

Weight is the problem with a lot of really well-made older European OU's. Merkel and Francotte did a good job of turning out 16ga OU's that weigh what they should. Many other makers did not. But if the weight issue doesn't bother you, I second the comments about Sodia making very good guns.

Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 694 Location: MN

Be aware also, that the market for German guns in this country is small. IMO...the English guns are more sought after. Combine that with the number of people who spend this kind of money for a gun and I'm not sure these larger producers from Ferlach (as opposed to a Hambrusch, Winkler, etc) are really that good an investment. I would caution against thinking that you can put this in your safe for 10 years and make money. Buy it because you're going to use it.