Otto Bock drilling help with ID caliber and age

[bongi11]

Thanks for letting me join.
I recieved this Otto Bock Drilling combination gun and need help IDing everything about it and tried to take as many pictures as possible to help you out. the only thing i do know is it's a 16 gauge and it has a broken side lever vee spring and the rear peep sight is broke off.
Thanks for the help Bongi11.

[bongi11]

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[bongi11]

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[bongi11]

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[bongi11]

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And here is the broken spring is there any way of finding a replacement?drilling Pictures 019.jpg

[mike ford]

bongi11,
Your drilling was made in or around Suhl, sometime between 1893 and 1912, and marketed by Otto Bock. You are correct that it is chambered for 16 ga., but the 65mm version, not the 70mm( 2 3/4") current version ( 16 in a circle). The crown S shows proof for shot. The crown W shows the left barrel is Choked, but the amount of constriction is not shown. I didn't see a "W" on the right barrel, so it is cyl. bore. The crown U is the mark showing view proof( a detailed inspection, including verification of dimensions). The word nitro being written in block letters not only means it was nitro proofed, but also shows it was proofed in Suhl. The 62.78 on the rifle barrel is the bore ( not groove or bullet) diameter found at the pre 1912 proof, expressed in gauge measurement, which is about 10.67mm. The "repair" proof (crown R) in March 1931(3/31), means some significant work was performed on the drilling, but does not show what was done. The crown G on the rifle barrel means it was proofed for a single projectile( bullet). The 16/1 on the shotgun barrels is the diameter of bore ahead of the chamber, also expressed in gauge( about 16.76mm). The 5938 is the maker's serial number. The 49794 may be Bock's serial number. A chamber cast and slugging the bore will be necessary to determine the nominal caliber of the rifle. It may be one of the nominal 10.75, or 10.8 cartridges. To get a new spring, I suggest you contact on of the gunsmiths in the Trade Directory in WAIDMANNSHEIL. They will likely be able to help with the rear sight also. Good luck.
Mike

[bongi11]

Thanks Mike Ford
Any idea what its worth as im not finding much on this gun maker.

[mike ford]

bongi11
I don't generally estimate the worth of someone else's gun that I don't have "in hand". Otto Bock is a known name, he thought up the famous cartridge 9.3x62, but he marketed your drilling that was made by someone else.

[bongi11]

Thanks. How would i find out who it was made by?

[mike ford]

bongi11,
You may not be able to find out, but sometimes they may leave a small logo on the action. While I did not see one in the photos, you might look closely on the breech face, on down inside the opening for the doll's head. I did notice an S in a lozenge, which is the mark for Schilling Forge, which likely made the blank rifle barrel. Drillings like this were made for the "trade" and sold to others that marketed them to the public, much like Sears or Wards did. Some placed their name on the drilling( other types also), like Otto Bock did, and others left them unmarked. Some people incorrectly call the unmarked ones "Guild" guns, but they were made "for the trade" instead. I hope you find this helpful.
Mike

[bongi11]

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Found more marks.

[mike ford]

bongi11,
In the first new photo, I see "S&C_ie and another mark that looks like something in a circle, but I can't tell where they are located for sure. I don't know what they mean. Maybe, Axel or someone will come to our rescue.
Mike

[mike ford]

Axel, Fred, anyone,
Do you recognize the mark?
Mike

[bongi11]

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Magnafied

[algmule]

Hello

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Kind regards
Peter