Hi, any help appreciated. Looking at a Grulla 20 Ga, 28", English stock, slight beavertail forend, very nice condition overall, box lock, DT, Ejectors, marked "Union Armera (sic?) by Grulla (or just Grulla), and on the side marked "Dakin" or "Imported by Dakin".
It is at a gun show, asking $1800 out the door. Nice little double, thinking of doing a trade if value is right. Gun looks good, tight, lever to right, bores shiny, blueing & metal all good, barrels ring like a bell when detached.
Any ideas? All I know of the Grullas is the more $$ sidelocks. Thanks, in a hurry cuz the show closes tomorrow.
Nobody knows? Researched the Internet like crazy, and am thinking this gun--while nice--is no better than my Parker Hale Ugartechea 20 Ga, or maybe note even better quality than my well-worn "hunter" Uggie Model 30 12 Ga.
I cannot find any information, anywhere, on Grulla boxlock shotguns.
From New Blue Book, Dakin Gun Co, importer in San Francisco in 1960's, lists a model 215 sidelock (sounds like a Grulla), 12 or 20 ga SXS, $2,250-100%, $1,900-98%, $1,675 - 95%, $1,300-90% Says special walnut and heavy engraving.
Hope this is of some help.
Dave
P.S., if you didn't know this already, the manufacturer Union Armera became Grulla.
As you likely know the Dakin Family were instrumental in opening the US market for Grulla - one might say that they were the catalyst and necessary agent to achieving this. I owned a 209E Grulla boxlock and found it to be very well made with excellent handling characteristics. It is now in the possession of a friend who hunts ruffies occassionaly. I sold the gun to him for $500 - a steal no doubt. I don't believe that Grulla makes boxlocks any longer. So as to value - if the gun fits and the condition is all you hope for appraise it on that basis. I know that I would love to have mine back for it is a terrific upland game gun with skeet and improved cylinder chokes, nice wood, and appropriate fit. Would I pay $1800 to get it back - No but I would pay $1200. I believe that you will find some variance in quality in the early guns so assess each guns on their own merits. Current offerings by Grulla are all sidelocks.
Just re-read your first post, if definitely a boxlock, Dakin had three other SXS, Models 100,147,160, blue book values in 100% of $425, $495, $825.
Sorry I missed that earlier.
Yes, it is definitely a boxlock & probably way overpriced as it sits now. Looks good, but so do my Uggies & others.
I'll try to find some info on the Dakin models above, thanks.
Well, a quick search for Dakin models showed them in that price range...but they were Zoli and others, not Union Armera Grulla.
Maybe that doesn't make a difference. This guy had it on the same table with a Grulla SL, so maybe boosted the price to $1800 as a "deal" when compared to the $3500 for the SL.
Oh well...