Hi

Is anyone familiar with this gun make?

Any and all info would be helpful.

Thanks

Ian

Do you mean Ferlach?

George

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Alf:

Yes that is the one.

I saw it in 'Access' and had him send me some pictures. I really know nothing about double rifles. I would like to get a 'big bore' at sometime so that I will be able to do a DG hunt down the road.

Ian

The rifle in question was made by Gary Flach, a machinist-foreman for The B.C. Ferry Corporation. I used to have some of my gunsmithing done by Flach and was in his shop frequently during the period that this rifle was built. It is on a Miroku-Browning BSS action with a "Purdey-nose" style third fastener added, I have no idea how accurate, etc. it is.

Flach lives in Langley, B.C., I no longer use him and have no contact information. This type of double rifle is fairly common and one of the "wheeler-dealers" here in Vancouver used to display a .444 Marlin with Westley-Richards markings. There is a dealer here who handles Merkels, my hunting partner works for him, part-time, and he has a .470 in stock or did a couple of months ago.

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quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
Kutenay:

Thnks for the info, in that case it hails as a no name brand and will have no interest to me.

George does have a very nice 318 WR currently but the price is to rich for me.

You must also be referring to the Merkels at European Arms? I have looked them over, just a pity the stock on the 470 was a hogsback. I think that rifle has been sold there is a 9.3 there presently.

Kutes

Is this the rifle with the 22" barrels? Weighs around 12 pounds?

If it is I saw it a Gunshow in Van last Spring. Asking $Can6500 I think?

ILW

If it is the same rifle I looked at I will give you my thoughts if you want them.

Mickey

Any and all thought s are welcome. As ALF stated earlier I am not really interested in a 'no name' gun.

Any recommendations on dealers of doubles or big bore guns in Canada.

Thanks

Ian

quote:

Originally posted by ilw:
Mickey

Any and all thought s are welcome. As ALF stated earlier I am not really interested in a 'no name' gun.

Any recommendations on dealers of doubles or big bore guns in Canada.

Thanks

Ian

Ian

The workmanship was gunshop quality. Not great but proffesional. The rifle is way too clubby and the balance was very bad, even with the short barrels. Longer barrels would have made it worse.

The barrels were monobloc and I am not sure how the third fastner was added, or whether it would hold up or even work.

The seller either didn't know or wouldn't say how it shot. He wasn't the maker and seemed to be totally ignorant about any aspects of the rifle. I understand from friends it has been bumping around for some time.

The price, too me, reflected the time and effort that was put into it but realistically was way too high. I don't think I would even consider it for more than $1500. There are too many unknowns about proofing, regulation etc to take a chance on it.

Mickey

Thank you for your clear and concise opinion. It is apprecaited.

Have yourself a good day.

Ian

I completely agree with Alf and Mickey on this, that rifle has been for sale for quite some time, but, there was some screwup with the original purchaser, IRRC, and I cannot remember what it was. I do not think that there would be the least problem with safety as Gary is too good a machinist to make that sort of error and this is not his first double rifle; I also think that it would be properly regulated as I seem to remember some targets from it that he showed me several years ago.

The real problem is that EVERY double rifle I have ever seen on a shotgun action with a monoblock was a fugen club, even the WR I mentioned. I see no point in a rifle like this for defence against dangerous game as I want a rifle that handles well and quickly.

Several years ago, George had a Rigby sidelock, "Bissel rising bite", made in 1901 in .450 Nitro and in fabulous shape; THAT was a double rifle and only $27,500.....a mere pittance, old top! I was the only guy, including Geo. himself, that looked at this rifle that knew what it was, but, I didn't have the money without parting with too many guns I have now, so, passed on it. I think a wealthy Chinaman got it for his boasting collection.......sad to say.

George tends to be a bit high in his prices, but, he is generally a good guy and far more honest than some I could mention; he also gets a LOT of nice guns. Ah, I'm glad that I have stopped buying guns and going to gun shows, it's so relaxing not to fret over whether I "need" that third combo gun or not! It's an illness, boys, an evil obsession.............

Oh yeah, the .470 is gone, but, a 9.3 is there with a cracked stock and I don't deal there. IF, I wanted a really GOOD double rifle, I would deal exclusively with Champlin Arms and have Reliable Gun of Vancouver do the import for me; this way, you will get honest value for your buck. Hope this helps.