doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Emil Flues 20 Ga O/U Shotgun

Robert. Many thanks for posting the photos of the Merkel for comparison. Take a look at the photo below. There are some significant differences between the breeches which I believe confirms that this is a hand made action by Flues. First, the bottom locking lugs are completely different. I've been doing fine shotguns for 40 years and have never seen a lump design similar to my Flues. Second, the rods that hold the ejectors in place are a smaller diameter than the Merkel and it looks like in a slightly different location. Third, the top locking lugs are a different shape and lock with a square crossbolt, not a round one like the Merkel. Finally, the entire action just has that wonderful "hand built" look. There are slight differences detectable and a file mark here and there. You can almost feel Flues's presence!

$5,800.00 is the final hammer price for the 12ga:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=84214768

Interesting list of bidders for it.

Pete

I cringe when I see pictures of fine guns lying on rocks. Or hot tubs for that matter.

Funny, I also cringed.

Clive,
Don't let the fact, that someone bought the other Flues O/U for 25-50% of what it should have brought, get to you...That guy didn't advertise the auction, he didn't list the item correctly, he didn't use the name (word) kornbrath in the electronic auction listing.... he didn't so much as Google the name Emil Flues, or he would have had a better handle on what he had....

As for being handmade....the young men who stood on the elevator car (while on Seneca St.) to watch him work, told me many years later, that the recievers where inletted with a wall mounted crank drill, die sinkers chisels, breast drills, files and most importantly lots of sunlight...

If this is so, it should be evident if ever the occasion arises to disassemble the gun. Meaning there will be no mill marks (swirls associated with milling machines)

Did you get any history with the gun? It's a well known fact that Emil and Rudolph traded work...that is; guns for engraving...but we don't know what guns represented Kornbraths payment....does your gun have a solid rib?

also, as Larry said, square crossbolts are not uncommon...but those fangs on the rib extensions are