Hello all. First post here. I'm the guy Michael found on the other forum who plans to eventually publish some sort of reference material with regards to these shotguns (I've since gotten involved in another writing project about a baseball-related topic, but I have all my notes and whatnot). What you've got there is a mid-production Geha (metal medallion vs. a wood medallion on earlier guns). The markings "Germany" and "Nitro" indicate it was made for export.
The 12 Gauge (aka what you have) and the 16 Gauge are the two most common Gehas. A third gun made in 20 Gauge is rather uncommon. Contrary to popular belief, Gehas do not explode when fired. They are not ticking bombs. Just shoot light loads in them and you'll be fine.
A poster above adequately described them as "clunkers," however. I'd agree with that. The sprung bolthead on a Geha or Hard Hit Heart (Remo shotguns, which were of much higher quality, had them screwed in) can pop right off and fire without it. Thus, for your own safety, use the gun as a single-shot only and not a 1+1. In fact, both catalogues I have featuring these guns say "only put one shell in the magazine."
Further, since a lot of the guns are chambered for 2 9/16" shells (Frank de Haas got it wrong after saying they're all 2 3/4"), using short shells would not be a bad idea if you can't measure the chamber. I know some folks say the difference is infinitesimal, and I believe it, but I'd just err on the side of caution.
Another problem with the Geha is its hellacious recoil. Sometimes, the stock will even crack right behind the upper tang...keep it well-oiled with raw linseed oil.
Anyway, your gun is not in very good shape, unfortunately. While it's merely worn in most aspects, the sling swivels are add-ons. A few early Gehas had sling swivels, but they were quickly omitted and these early guns are quite uncommon. If I had to put a value on it, I'd say $100-$150. I'd actually keep it...they're not drillings, but they are certainly unique and entertaining.
Hope that helps ya!
"Do not fire this gun!!!!!"
Franchi, no offense, but I've found a lot of evidence suggesting that the guns that blew up were overloaded, abused, or simply not Gehas (when Remo was going under, they marketed a shotgun sometimes mistaken for a Geha-type, but it was not a Mauser '98 action shotgun...that's the "Remo-Popular" and it really was quite slipshod). The oft-repeated myth that these guns are somehow death traps is just that, a myth. And it formed during the 1920's-1930's, a time during which ALL German guns were considered to be death traps, sturdy Gewehr 98's and Krieghoff & Sempert Bock-Drillings included. However, from the gun's clumsy appearance, no one ever bothered to try and bust the myth (except Frank de Haas, who despite a plethora of incorrect info, advocates firing the guns).
Last edited by Dalkowski110; 08/26/08 10:29 AM.
one has to wonder what is being smoked? Ok, they are a little better then BA Mossbergs, but they are freaking fugly! 
