doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cordy

Sirs,

What can you tell me about Cordy guns ?
They are highly regarded around here, and I've seen a very nice pair of SLE, and also some plain boxlocks, unengraved, but with a good "feel".
I've try to find more info about the gunmaker but with no success,
Thank you
HM

Henrique Menezes:

Select "Cordy" at this site, http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/a%20a%20artisans%20identifies%20gb.htm , which will give you a start.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

I examined an older 20ga. Cordy O/U in the mid 70's that was wonderfully executed. Prior to that I was not aware of the name at all. A dealer friend was brokering the sale and called me to come & have a look before it left. It was exquisite. I was not able to examine it's insides nor shoot it, but it was a delight in the hands and to the eye. It was not heavily engraved, but the quality of fit and finish & detail was instantly apparent. I recall that its lockup was quite unusual, but do not remember the exact details, only that I was intrigued by it at the time.

If I may ask, what general price range are the guns you mentioned in $US? Just curiosity on my part. Few Cordys are ever for sale here. We have one member of the board who owns or owned one, perhaps he will see this thread and comment on his experience &/or add some further information about the maker. I am like you in having an interest in knowing more about the maker, but have never found a good source of detailed information.

This is probably news to no one, but the replacement and small gauge barrels marketed by Simmons Gun Specialties of Kansas City in the 60s for Browning and others were made by Cordy. I once had a nice SBT sold by Simmons but made by Cordy.

I think the elder Cordy died a few years back at 90 or so years of age. For years he was the single-trigger man of Liege, among other things. Did those for Lebeau and Francotte. One of the last of the great Belgian old-timers.

There was an article in DGJ years back on Cordy, I think by ex-H&H Jan Rooseburg. This was written before he died.

TW,

The pair I mentioned was for sale , and if I recall the price was around 18-20K $US.
The guns were very, very good, as good as any you'll see from Belgium, or other place. These were Best sidelocks, with superb finish and some gold inlays in the engraving.
I though they were overpriced, but they were sold really quickly.

I've handled a 12 and a 20 gauge boxlock, with 26", and almost no engraving, but as it was the case with the o/u that you mention, the high quality was instantly noticed.
They were bought new in the 1960's and still belong to the same owner.

The best gunshop in Portugal at that time was importing them, and they were sold as being of higher quality, than other guns from Belgium.
I've seen pictures of the Portuguese president in the 60's, in a driven shot with a pair of Cordy's. Some famous shots of that time used them also for boxed pigeons, and the guns were regarded as being as good as any.

I was curious on more info on these guns, and to see if someone else other than a generation of now elder Portuguese, had good things to say about them.
HM

I have an Antoine Cordy. It maybe the best gun I have ever owned. It has little border engraving on the sidelocks,but has terrific wood . The gun is a little heaver than a English gun of the same quality. I understand he was among the best of the Belgian makers. I dont think there are many guns of higher quality.