Hello...New member with question on my new German O/U

[marb1es]

Hi to everyone.

I was guided here from another forum on which I posted a question of help re my new Shotgun.

I shall add the link shortly, I'm hopeful you will be able to help me identify age, maker, value etc on this wonderful gun.

The vendor did recently say he was a little bemused by the gun as he could not fnd any German markings on her, definitely proofed in Birmingham however, and once stripped down, he could have sworn it was was English!

Any ideas at all would be wonderful. Thanks. She needs some work ass I went on a Partridge day yesterday and she would not eject the cartridges, they all seemed stuck to the barrels as if 12g shells were a little too large..???

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=113655

[sharps4590]

Welcome marbles! I'm a fairly new addition here myself and my knowledge of German firearms is in its infancy so I'll let those who know fill you in. I can assure you those who know will know!! One thing I can tell you is that the Germans gave up nothing to the British in quality...as you have seen.

Your Sauer certainly has a nice piece of lumber on it!

[ellenbr]

First, is that a Vizsla bedded down beside the O/U? Are there any Sauer marks on the lugs or on the standing breech? I believe the "Not English Make" was used between 1925 & 1955, and it is not uncommon to see that on sporting weapons brought back to England after WWII. I guess it is possible that Sauer peddled a sideplated variant of the Model 33 but the serial number of 38xxx would need to be something more like 238xxx +/-. I would hazard a guess that Sauer made an additional tubeset for the O/U. Are there any German touchmarks that are visible and haven't been worked off? It doesn't appear to have the brace of Kersten extensions but it may be similar to those of Krieghoff or others??

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[mike ford]

12ga 2 3/4" would be a little unusual for a 1920s era gun,as is the lack of German Proofs.I don't know if they could be bought w/o proofs, for proofing in England when imported.I never heard of this, since each country accepted the others testing. Some left Suhl after the war,before the proof house reopened, but mostly with Russians.Most of the ones Americans (or Brits)got during the short time before the Russians came, had already been to the proof house.Sauer was in Suhl a short while after the war and then moved(mostly in name only) and didn't use the Suhl address on the ribs.For it to be a 45-55 gun,Raimeys comment about the serial number would be a no vote.It has either been restocked or the stock nicely refinished and recoil pad added.The cross bolt is unusually shaped so that it holds the barrels back, as well as down. This is more expensive to fit up,so unusual. My uninformed opinion is that this is a post war gun, although the serial number is worthy of thought.
Mike

[marb1es]

Thank you all so much for the insights.. I'm still no further forward however, it is my Viszla fife on his bed indeed.
The day after a shoot on the downs. As this gun is currently too short and not ejecting correctly I also took my s/s. I made a quick vid for you tube which incidentally if anyone is interested, you can search "driven partridge shooting in the Sussex downs", it should come up.

I have checked for more marks and can't find a thing...

Well, can anyone recommend a place I can take it to find out anymore info? Is there any place of reference i can check the serials with? Would Sauer themselves want to bothered with questions of interest do you suppose? Thanks again in advance.