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Forums10
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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 37
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 37 |
Back in the 50s when I was a kid, the Shooters Bible of the day featured a line of shotguns called the Zephyr.
There were a variety of double barreled guns and a single barrel trap gun called the "Vandalia" and a single barrel 10 ga. gun called the "Honker."
Do any of you fellas know of a source of information on these guns? I have been looking for one of the trap guns and also one of the 10 ga. guns on the used market, but to no avail.
Also, if anyone knows, were these guns of good quality? They were priced medium high for those days.
RedHawk
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 66
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 66 |
I believe the Zephyr SxS were Spanish, and possibly Victor Sarasqueta. Have never seen one, but they seem to have a reasonably good reputation.
Pete
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164 Likes: 2 |
My friend has a Stoeger-imported 12ga box lock marked Zephyr; it is indeed made by Victor Sarasqueta. Pistol grip, beaver tail, I think single trigger but I can't remember for sure. Some sort of crude game bird engraving. It seems a decent gun; he likes it. Don't know if this is the same gun you're speaking of.
Fin
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. - Albert Einstein
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
In the 1947 issue there are graphics. They mention contracting an unnamed Belgian firm to make them. In the 1948 issue they don't mention Belgium, but state they will not be available from Europe until the summer of '48.
The top of the line Zephyr o/u is listed at $225 in '47 and at $600.00 '48. In '47 they show sxs and double rifle Zephyr's, these are not in the '48 catalog. In '47 a Lefever Nitro lists for $57, a Fox CE grade for $236, an Ithaca 4E for $227 and an Winchester 21 Skeet for $203.
You can pick up the Shooter's Bible for a few dollars on eBay.
Pete
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,111 Likes: 195
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,111 Likes: 195 |
The 1947 issue Zephyrs from Belgium are different from the later Spanish Zephyrs. The Honker and the Vandalia were hardly overpriced, even for the mid to late fifties when they were listed in Stoegers. I think the non ejector sidelock Honker was $125.00. I have seen a couple of Honkers listed for sale in the last few years, never a Vandalia. As I remember, the Vandalia was about $198.00. One of the gun sites, probably this one, had threads discussing the Honker and the Thunderbird, a double ten also from Sarasqueta. The Thunderbird was an ejector sidelock for $228.00. I would kill for a Honker, but have little hope of finding one. I think the Honker had a 36 inch barrel.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,412 Likes: 313
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,412 Likes: 313 |
The 1962 Gun Digest lists the Zephyr under Foreign Shotguns. Available models were the Pinehurst ($158), Woodlander ($108), Uplander ($158), and Upland King ($218 with sideplates, SST, AE, Vent Rib, and 'a fully engraved action.') Imported by Stoeger but no mention of the manufacturer.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 35
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 35 |
Local shop has a Stoeger Uplander for sale, indeed a Sarasqueta.
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
- Errol Flynn
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 37
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 37 |
The 1947 issue Zephyrs from Belgium are different from the later Spanish Zephyrs. The Honker and the Vandalia were hardly overpriced, even for the mid to late fifties when they were listed in Stoegers. I think the non ejector sidelock Honker was $125.00. I have seen a couple of Honkers listed for sale in the last few years, never a Vandalia. As I remember, the Vandalia was about $198.00. One of the gun sites, probably this one, had threads discussing the Honker and the Thunderbird, a double ten also from Sarasqueta. The Thunderbird was an ejector sidelock for $228.00. I would kill for a Honker, but have little hope of finding one. I think the Honker had a 36 inch barrel. Yes, the Honker was 125 and it did have a 36" barrel. The Vandalia was 198 for the extractor mosel and 228 for the ejector (1960). Like you, I would love to have a crack at one or both of these guns, but I have never seen one offered for sale--that is after I got to where I could afford one.....
RedHawk
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,111 Likes: 195
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 14,111 Likes: 195 |
Price high, pictures bad, description vague, no sale.
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