Guns International #: 101783376

Category - Shotguns - Austrian Double - Shotguns - 28 Gauge

Category
Shotguns - Austrian Double
Shotguns - 28 Gauge

Johann Michelitsch, Ferlach Master Gunmaker, Hand-detachable Sidelocks, O/U 28 Ga, 2 3/4" 28 Bls, Exc. Plus

Description:
SOLD  ** Johann Michelitsch, Ferlach Master Gunmaker, Hand-Detachable Sidelocks, O/U, 28 Ga. 2 ¾”, 28” Bls.  Exc. Plus

This “best gun” features 28” Demi-bloc ejector barrels with raised ventilated matted rib, engraved “Made in Austria.” The breech portion of bottom metal is stamped with 1958 Ferlach proofs, serial number, and the Michelitsch logo. It has coin finished hand-detachable sidelocks.  The action locks up with Purdey double underbites and with a third top action lock via a full Kersten cross bolt.

Features include a non-automatic safety, bushed strikers and reinforcing bolsters. The single selective trigger clearly shows “O” for over barrel and “U” for under barrel, both in gold, along with a gold “S” for the manual safety. One combination button on the tang handles all four of these movements which wouldn’t even be attempted by most makers. It also has cocking indicators that are fire blued with inlaid gold arrows. The left sidelock carries the concealed trap door that actually functions as a bolt when opened and turned. The fitting is so close that under the engraving, it is hard to detect. All of these features clearly define a “best gun.”

The receiver and sidelocks are engraved with various sizes of well-cut, shaded scroll framing vignettes of game birds on each side. A quatro of ducks cavort in a marsh on left side and four pheasants are in various poses in an open woodland on the right. Bottom of the action is engraved, “JOH. MICHELITSCH FERLACH AUSTRIA MOD.25E on a long ribbon through scroll.

Top lever and trigger guard are scroll-engraved and blued.

The stock has modest flame-figure of marbled European walnut with a pistol grip that is capped with horn in a sunburst carving. The buttstock is shaped with a classic comb and furnished with a horn buttplate carved with a basket-weave pattern. Stock measurements are 14 ½” x 1 3/8” x 1 3/4” with slight cast off for the right handed shooter. The well-executed hand checkering is point pattern with broad mullered borders at the grip. Its matching three-piece forend has a Deeley type release with tight inlayed points. Bore diameters, top .543, bottom .542 (Full and Full) restrictions. Weight 7 lb. 2 oz.

Condition: Excellent Plus: Bbls retain 99% original blue; action retains nearly all its original French gray, Stocks retains 96% of its original finish with a few faint marks, bores are bright. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger works perfectly.

All best shotguns by any of these Ferlach masters begin at $25,000.  The sidelock versions and especially the hand-detachable sidelock versions, sell for much more. The Model 25E was last listed for the U.S. dollar equivalent of $31,450.  At 99%, the value would drop to about $24,900.  Priced here to sell at $ 11,450.00

Seller is the author of The Rifleman’s Rifle (Winchester pre-64 Model 70s) and will furnish a Letter of Provenance that this gun is from his collection.  Please check out author’s feedback on ebay under rcrwin70roger.  3-day non-firing inspection for full refund, shipping is $75 to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check , wire transfer or personal check on-hold pending validation. For questions, call (808) 989-1863 and ask for Roger.


About the maker:
Johann Michelitsch 12 November Strasse 2 A9107 Ferlach, Austria Tel (04227) 2391, Fax 2868.
Today, there are twelve master gun makers in Ferlach, who along with their 180 employees, produce about 500 guns a year.

The size of the business of each of the master gunmakers varies greatly. Some are a father and son operation, most have around six to ten employees, with the largest having over 150 employees. The prices of a Ferlach gun start at $25,000 and go up to $500,000. Each part of the gun is carefully and lovingly hand fitted to produce a superb firearm that is often embellished with delicate engraving and inlaid with gold or silver. The average gun produced by the Ferlach gun makers cost $50,000 – $75,000 and takes six to ten months to produce.

Many of their guns can be found in museums and private collections around the world. Royalty and presidents from many different countries are proud owners of Ferlach guns. Hunters and collectors, who desire the best, come from all over the world to the town of Ferlach to order their custom made guns.

Here’s the twelve Ferlach makers in alpha order (all of them are master gunmakers):


Ludwig Borovnik KG
Bahnhofstrasse 7
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2442, 2249, Fax 4349

Fanzoj Gesellschaft m. b. H.
Aka Johann Fanzoj
Griesgasse 1
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2283, Fax 2867

Hambrusch Jagdwaffen
Gesellschaft m. b. H.
Gartengasse 4
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2262, Fax 4106

Karl Hauptmann
Bahnhofstrasse 5
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2263, Fax3435

Peter Hofer Jagdwaffen
Franz-Lang-Strasse 13
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 3683, Fax 3683

Jagdwaffen G. Juch
Inh. Mag. H. Grund
Pfarrhofgasse 2
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2256, Fax 2256

Josef Just
Hauptplaz 18A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2273, Fax 4284

Jakob Koschat
12 November Strasse 3
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2390, Fax 2278

Johann Michelitsch
12 November Strasse 2
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2391, Fax 2868

Johann Outschar’s Sohn
Inh. Walter Schaschl-Outschar
Josef-Ogris-Gasse 23
A9107 Ferlach, Austria

Herbert Scheiring
Klagenfurter Strasse 19
A9107 Ferlach, Austria
Tel (04227) 2876, Fax 2876




 

SOLD