Vierling is a German word that stands for quadrupled, and it is the name of the four-barreled break action shotgun by Austrian Delux hunting arms manufacturer.
This Johann Fanzoj Vierling represents a blend of an over and under shotgun and a side by side double rifle. The top and bottom barrels are chambered in 20 gauge (3″ shells), and the side barrels are chambered in 9.3x74mmR. The rifle has a Holland & Holland style sidelock mechanism and automatic individual ejectors for all four barrels.
The gun has two triggers and a switch behind the top lever. This switch changes the triggers from the over-under 20 gauge shotgun to the side-by-side rifle-the 9.3x74mmR. The price tag for this gun was not given since they are custom made and take 12-18 months to get one. A company representative estimated it would cost between $170,000-$200,000!
All four barrels are 23″ long (58.5 centimeters), and the overall length of the gun is 40.9″ (104 cm). The overall weight of this Vierling is 4.6 kilograms (about 10 lbs). Here is how the company describes the weight and shoot ability of this rifle-shotgun:
“Massive, without a doubt, but not “heavy” at all this sporting weapon handles magnificently which makes a continuous series of loading and shooting free standing over open sights at 35m a true pleasure. Alternatively, the rifle is sighted in to 100m via Swarovski scope.
Regulating four barrels to one point of impact, thru a scope and open sights, enabling 4+ shots in quick succession, against the effect of thermal heating, to function flawlessly under high pressure and a changing environment, cold, heat… was in short: a challenge in every aspect.”
