Info on German Gun Maker "Goiter, Funk & Sohne"
After my grandmother died a few years ago, my dad was helping clean out her attic when he stepped on a loose floorboard and underneath discovered an old percussion-cap, double-barrel shotgun. The shotgun, which appears to be a 20 Gauge muzzle-loader, has a well figured, finely checkered walnut stock; 30" side-by-side damascus barrels; dual triggers; and dual hammers shaped like rabbits' heads. Inscribed between the gun's barrels is the manufacturer's name: "Goiter, Funk & Sohne in Suhl." I know Suhl is in Germany and has long been a center for firearms production. My grandmother's family came from near Frankfurt, Germany sometime in the late 1800s, so we assume someone brought this shotgun with them from the old country. I've looked on the Internet, but can find little on Goiter, Funk, and Sohne. Can anyone shed any light on this manufacturer's history, what sort of firearms it was known for producing, and/or its reputation for quality? I know there's not much of a market for these old guns and I'm really not interested in parting with it, I'd just like to know a little more about its history. Thanks in advance for any help.
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The Funk name was a well respected gun maker in Suhl. Unknown if connected to your gun. Use a magnifier, make sure that is not Gotter. Link to a little info on Christoph Funk:
http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/Sections/Page.asp?SID=436&MID=5#Funk0 -
11b6r, thanks for info. I've taken a hard look at the inscription and, despite magnification, the 3d letter is ill-formed and very hard to determine. Unlike the the 4th letter, definitely a "T", which has both ends of the cross-bar curled under, the 3d letter has a straight cross-bar, which makes it look more like an "I". Again, however, the lettering appears to be hand done and is very imprecise, so I suppose the inscription could be "Gotter, Funk, and Sohne." If so, does that make any more sense or provide a better lead? 0 -
I have a Gottfried Funk & Sohne, listed in one of my books. I don't know anything, about how German names are abbreviated? Perhaps "Goiter", is the abbreviation for Gottfried?
Not much information about them? Other than they were located in Suhl, during the 19th Century. Their business was taken over by another gunsmith, named G. Merkel. By 1914, before the start of the First World War.0 -
The "& Sohne" means "and Son". Sorry I can't help more. Sounds like a neat old gun. Could you put any pics up? I would like to see it.
And I think I would be looking that place over with a fine tooth comb; who knows what other treasures are hidden there!0
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