E. SCHMIDT & HABERMANN SUHL SxS 16 Gauge shotgun

[Kevoomss]

I have several amazing german made pieces that my Father had collected over the years. I have been hanging onto these and have recently decided to do some homework and hoping for some helpful input from this forum!

The photos below are of an E. SCHMIDT & HABERMANN SUHL SxS 16 Gauge shotgun. The finish is unique on this as well as the detailing. Was hoping for more insight as to what I have here exactly. I will add info on proof marks later this evening, but wanted to start up a thread to hopefully get the ball bouncing!

[Diz]

Kevoomss,

It is an interesting piece and it would be good to see all the markings to help the experts determine more about it. I am assuming the barrel is Damascus although it is difficult to tell in the photo but being pin fire would put it in that time frame I think. Pin fire shells are not hard to make and could allow you to shoot this gun if it checks out in good condition. I find the stock and cheek piece to be a bit unusual and more like a rifle than a shotgun but I may be wrong about that. I am always interested in old hammer guns and would like to see and hear more about it. Good luck with it.

Diz

[Axel E]

E. Schmidt & Habermann, Roschstrasse 1, Suhl, was founded in 1858. By 1913 it was owned by the brothers Franz, Paul and Richard Stadelmann. The company existed until 1945. They were gunmakers to the upgrade trade mostly. So you rarely encounter guns signed as "Schmidt & Habermann" openly. Most of their guns were signed and retailed by well known gunmakers and unknown country gunshops. F.i., all the famous "Original Wilhelm Brenneke, Leipzig" Mauser action rifles were made by Schmidt & Habermann for Brenneke. Other "name" customers were Mahrholdt / Peterlongo in Innsbruck, Burgsmueller in Kreiensen, all the Berlin "Gunmakers" like Barella, Geyger and Foerster, The 2 Kettners, Eduard and Franz, and many more. Quite often you may find the tiny "Esha" trademark of Schmidt & Habermann hidden somewhere on fine guns bearing more famous names on the outside. Post- WW1 Schmidt & Habermann even designed and made their own short-actioned bolt action rifle, the model 21.