Steyr 12 Ga. SxS

[Fred Slyfield]

The NP mark has a very small v with it, when you say Prague mechanic is that a worker at the Steyr factory ?

Fred

[ellenbr]

It is possible, but I would say not. The Imperial Eagle with the Nr. 2 notes either the final pressure test or final inspection, whatever the proofmaster had a whim for. So at this juncture, I'd say it was a Gesteck or parts kit from OEWG -Österreichische Waffenfabrikgesellschaft from 1924 that made its way to a certain state of completion. Then a Prague mechanic purchase the lot circa 1930 and carried it forward to completion. I think you have a bastard OEWG/Prague sporting weapon. Like I said, I have very strong suspicions, or rather high confidence that Frantisek Faukner was involved. Also, I'm quite confident that Frantisek Faukner purchased several Gestecks or parts kits from the faltering OWG / OEWG /Österreichische Waffenfabrikgesellschaft. Let me flip thru some of his examples to compare the lovely engraving as I think you have a F. Faukner Prague example or something similar.

Kind Regards,

Raimey

[ellenbr]

When I 1st viewed it, the tight scroll engraving or Prague engraving & oak leaf adornment around the fences made me think of a Bohemian engraver but at that point I was not aware of any Praze marks. Frantisek Faukner expired in 1928 and his son Jan Faukner already had the reins of the concern. Not sure when Frantisek Faukner began to advertise as F. Faukner Praha A Spol or and heir & assigns, descendants, erben, etc. The engraving could also have been preformed by a craftsman at Lovely Lovena Praze. What type butt-plate might it have. WWI say the end of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the respective proofhouses took a different path. Prague & Weipert followed same path & near Christmas 1931, a new proof law was passed that had an effective date of the 1st of January, 1932. I'm not sure if they used the Bohemian lion a little prior to the new proofmark law but the 1931 date of your OWG Steyr example would have been one of the last to wear the old Imperial Eagle, if indeed that is what it is.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[ellenbr]

This one experienced proof in 1924. Everything else is a bit fuzzy. Does yours have the unique ejector system? Do you possess GGCA's 1929 Steyr Catalogue?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[ellenbr]

Possibly this is the connection: after Frantisek Faukner moved to Parizska Street, Praze from Kolin in 1909, his business really began to elevate due to his exclusive Mannlicher agency, with his workshop at Rigrovo nabrezi & a Czech version of the Mannlicher/Steyr sporting weapons catalgoue. There were a couple of inserts of Frantisek Faukner wares being imported Belgian & Ferlach platforms that were converted to a Bohemian flare or taste, but his staple was the Mannlicher/Steyr line. This gives a direct line of sourcing from Praze to Steyr, so Frantisek Faukner may be the culprit. Or he could have be a conduit for Johann Kalezky, J. Novotný or maybe others. But fortunately the Vienna & Prague proofhouses still have their records so a contact to them more than likely will solve the riddle. I think you have a very unique/rare Steyr A&D Action Body platform with a Bohemian flare.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[Fred Slyfield]

Thanks again for all the help , my gun has the same ejector cut off system as your in the picture, I do not have a GGCA 1929 Steyr catalog. Do you have any contact info for the proof houses, I would be interested in contacting them to see if they have any records.

Raimey are you located in the US?

Best

Fred

[ellenbr]

Fred, the following is what I've seen published. Have no idea if it is current and/or valid or if they correspond in English:

Austria:
Wien:
Beschussamt Wien Tel.: +43-1-734 62 68-13
Dr. Leopold Putz - Platz 1 / Wielandweg 27 Fax: +43-1-734 62 68-12
A-1220 Wien E-Mail: office@beschussamt.at
Austria
Head: Rudolf Radl E-Mail: rudolf.radl@beschussamt.at

Ferlach:
Beschussamt Ferlach Tel.: +43-4227-2576
Maschinenhausgasse 2 Fax: +43-4227-4174
A-9170 Ferlach, Austria
Head: Matthaeus Roblek

Czech Republic:
Prag:
Banc d’Epreuves Tchèque
des armes et des Munitions Tel.: +420-(0)271 774 587
Jilmová12 Fax: +420-(0)2-717 730 64
CZ-130 00 Praha 3
Czech Republic
Head: Dipl.-Ing. Zdeněk Štěpánek E-Mail: stepanek@cuzzs.cz

Hungary:
Budapest:
Banc d’Epreuves de Hongrie Tel: +36-(0)1-347 60 30
MKH Kft. Fax: +36-(0)1-347 60 39
Gyöngysor utca 6. +36-(0)1-347 60 30 115
H-1031 Budapest E-Mail: mkh@mkh.hu
Head: Ödön Kalamár E-Mail: kalamar@mkh.hu

I reside in the Northern part of the Great State of Alabama.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[ellenbr]

For comparison, can you provide a close-up, in focus image of the side of the frame with the oak leaves? Also on the very top of the tubes close to the top rib there looks to be some text, what might that be?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[Fred Slyfield]

Both barrels say special-laufstahl
them P hambru,sch
the left barrel has "in steyr" stamped on it

The gun had an old hard pachmayr pad on it , I just received and soft red rubber pad from Galazans, I'll be taking it to a good stock maker to have it installed.

If this picture isn't clear enough let me know and Ill take one out in the sun tomorrow with a better camera than my phone

Thanks

Fred

[ellenbr]

The name atop the rib is another piece of the puzzle & that's one step closer to knowing more about the sporting weapon. Peter Hambrusch purchased the gesteck/parts kit from Steyr and may have sent it thru the Vienna proofhouse in 1924. Now we still have the gap till 1931 and why it passed thru the Prague proofhouse.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[Fred Slyfield]

I'll try and contact one of the folks you gave me the info on and see if they can help out at all, or if they even speak english!!

Thanks again for all your time on this

Fred