Fukert drilling questions

[algmule]

Hello

Marat,
here´s an ad as a thank you for posting images of such an interesting Drilling.

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Not that it matters much but I wonder if there were Kronen-Drillings marked as such. Reason for asking is that the topic of the thread is marked Kronen-Gewehr on the barrel set but in the above ad Kronen-Drillings are marketed as, well, Kronen-Drillings. Perhaps all Fükert guns making use of the Kronen-Schloss were marked Kronen-Gewehr, Kronen-Doppelbüchsen and Kronen-Büchsflinten as well. Has anyone seen a Kronen-Schlossdrilling marked as a Kronen-Drillinge on the barrel set? I´m just curious.

Kind regards
Peter

[Axel E]

I have never encountered a "semi-hammerless" action before. Can you explain the difference between a hammer and semi-hammerless action?

During the latter part of the 19th century many people felt quite uneasy ith the newfangled hammerless guns, as these were always cocked when loaded. Hammer guns, which could be carried loaded, but uncocked, were deemed to be safer in case of a fall or jarr. So, as a compromise,some semi-hammerless guns were designed, not only by Gustav Fükert, but by Wilhelm Brenneke and others too. These were self-cocking and sleek like hammerless guns in normal use, but could be un- and recocked by unobstrusive , small hammers at will.

[Axel E]

Has anyone seen a Kronen-Schlossdrilling marked as a Kronen-Drillinge on the barrel set?

AFAIK Fükert used only that stamp with the generic term Gewehr and the crown Trademark on all guns with his Kronen semi-hammerless locks. Alas, it was obvious if such a Gewehr was a shotgun, combination. double rifle or drilling. Interesting that Fükert claimed a branch in Bärenstein, just a few hundred meters away from his Weipert factory. Maybe the then German - Austrian, now German -Czech border with ensueing customs complications and different proof laws was the reason? German proof was not accepted in Austrro-Hungaria and vice versa. With that nearby branch in Germany he could export guns as unproofed "parts" to Germany, have them assembled there and German proofed in Suhl or Zella-Mehlis.

[mike ford]

Peter,
Even today you can have new Kronen-Gewehr made in the different configurations. See the G. Retz & Sohne in Suhl website.
Mike

[algmule]

Hello

From a 1902 article: "Als Verschluss-System wurde bei dem Kronen-Gewehr der allgemein beliebte drei-, vier- und fünffache Scott-Verschluss mit Querbolzen in Anwendung gebracht."

Apparently Weichlötung (soft-soldering in English?) was used when assembling the barrel sets.

The following info is gleaned from a 1904 "article": it seems that G. Fükert had a pending patent on what was called "Fükert´s Extra-Patent Verschluss". Apparently it was an improvement to better withstand the pressure from smokeless powder. Here´s an image.
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Mr. Hallquist has posted an image of such a Verschluss over at DGS. The extra cost for such an improvement on a new gun with one barrel set K(rone) 60. For each additional barrel set to go with the gun the cost was K(rone) 15. On an already manufactured and delivered gun the cost of the improvement for one barrel set was K(rone) 75, and for each additional barrel set K(rone) 25. According to the "article" the "Extra-Patent Verschluss" was suitable for all kinds of break open systems. I have not been able to find a DRP on this improvement. Perhaps it was never granted.

Below is a 1894 image of the inside of a Kronen-Gewehre. I´m eagerly awaiting the resident technical whizz guy.
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I still don´t understand how the Kronen-Drilling cocks. Do all three hammers cock on breaking it open or does the hammer on top have to be manually cocked? Marat, could you please ask your friend?

Also, Gustav Fükert had a really neat moustache.

Kind regards
Peter