25a Sauer drilling repair

[John Boyea]

Hello, My wife recently inherited a model 25a Sauer drilling, made 5/25. Unfortunately, it is missing a section of the rib. We'd like to know if it can be repaired, by who and at what cost. We don't have much of an idea of what it's worth as is or in fixed condition and we'd like some ideas on value. We realize this repair(if it could even be done) could cost more then the gun. Any help/ideas in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

[mike ford]

John,
Your wife's 16 ga(2 1/2-2 9/16")/ 8x58R Sauer&Sohn chambered drilling can be repaired.While I don't know the cost of such a repair, it is not likely to be more than the value of the repaired drilling.It is my opinion that the missing section of rib had scope mounts of some type(maybe claw mounts) installed.This usually requires cutting the rib and soldering a "saddle" to the barrels.This work was usually "after market" and may not have been properly done, causing the failure. Any of the gunsmiths that advertise in the Trade Directory of WAIDMANNSHEIL, such as New England Custom Guns, are likely able to do the work. It is not up to me, but if it were, I think I would request the new rib section be milled to accept some type American clamp on rings, such as Ruger or Talley, or similar. This would require the rib section to be "hard soldered", but would make mounting a scope much cheaper. Good luck.
Mike

[John Boyea]

Thanks Mike. What I was hoping could be done is that the gun rib could be restored to as original, whatever that might have been. But it looks like a hard fix because some of the word 'SOHN' is missing and the other end seems to have a jagged break/edge. It also looks like the piece that was in there was bigger, since the now exposed solder is wider then the remaining rib. Is this the result of this aftermarket saddle being soldered in? I haven't been able to find a picture of a similar gun(looking down at the rib) to see what the rib looked like originally. I will check with New England Custom guns about the possibility of doing something. we really have little interest in keeping this gun, fixed or not. All we are trying to do is figure out how to get the best value; sell it as is or fix it first. Also Mike, I'm curious to know how you came up with ammo size of 8x58R? I saw the stamp of 7.6mm and thought that was the rifle size? Thanks again, John

[Axel E]

Up to 1939 the German proofhouses did not mark the groove- or bullet diameter on rifle barrels, or the nominal metric cartridge designaton, but the bore or land diameter. This narrowest diameter was measured using cylindrical plugs in .1 mm increments. The size of the largest plug that passed the barrel was marked. A barrel maked 7.6 mm may have been 7.699 mm in fact, just a 7.7 mm plug did not pass. This is ok for an 8 mm, .318" bullet. 58 1/2 mm is the Maximum case length of the proprietary 8x58R Sauer & Sohn cartridge.
I suggest leaving the repair to a future owner.

[mike ford]

John,
While I am always saddened when a gun( or china/family silver,etc)is rejected by heirs and sold off, I agree fully with Axel that the repair should be left to the final owner, who will respect and use it. This is a wounded warrior that deserves to be brought back,

[John Boyea]

Mike,
I agree that it should be repaired, and if not by me then the next owner. It's truly a piece of art! I had a conversation with Mark at New England Customs and emailed him some pictures. He is to get back to me after he has explored options. He doesn't believe it had original German claw mounts, but was rather a less than professional attempt to mount a scope.
My wife inherited over 20 guns and pistols and we can't keep them all. We have decided to keep a couple that have the most family significance. One is a drilling made by the Three Barrel Gun Co., that in 1956 her father shot the then record NYS black bear with (we have the head mount/articles & pictures to go with the gun). Another is an 1878 Colt SAA etched with 'Colt Frontier Six Shooter", that we are waiting for a paper on from Colt archives. We hope to find it was shipped to her Great, Great Grandfather since he owned a hardware store at the time.
Thanks again for your help. John

[Nathaniel Myers]

I would also contact the American Custom Gunmakers Guild and inquire about someone who can re solder a rib.

As stated previously, if I were to be the future purchaser I would rather fix it myself. (That is, have it fixed by who I choose). You may net slightly less, but I would recommend it.