AD HOFFMANN shotguns

[richard adamson]

I have a 16 gauge SxS hammerless shotgun that has Suhl, and it looks like Liege, proofmarks. It has the words "AD HOFFMANN SALZWEDEL" on the barrel rib. It only weighs 5 3/4 pounds, has wing clips on the breech, underlug and cross-bolt locking, Anson-Deely type boxlock action, Anson style fore-end release, no ejectors (just extracters), a Neidner style buttplate, top-lever, and sling swivels. The numbers "222" are stamped on the barrel flats; so I am thinking it was made in February 1922. The engraving is modest but well executed with only border lines, barrel base, trigger guard etc. and a little scrollwork. The craftsmanship is excellent and it reminds me of some Merkels I have seen pictures of. The buttstock has a small cheekpad, it fits me perfectly, and has become my favorite "quail gun". Has anyone ever heard of these guns? I haven't been able to locate any information on it at all. I did see where a hammer model AD HOFFMANN sold at an auction on the internet a long time ago. Any feedback would be appreciated. Sincerely, Rick Adamson, Silver Springs, Nevada

[germanguns1234]

We have a record of an Adolph Hoffmann at Ruessenstrasse 12 in Suhl from around 1910 but that is all.

[richard adamson]

Thank you. That's a start. Rick Adamson

[Axel E]

A. Hoffmann in Salzwedel, recorded for 1913 as a country gunshop, certainly retailed this gun. Photos of the proof- and other markings would be helpful in finding out about the real maker and time span. Are there Suhl or Liege proofmarks or both? Salzwedel is a country town about halfway between Hamburg and Berlin.

[richard adamson]

Thanks. I will make some photos of the barrel flats and the action watertable and post them soon...Rick

[Axel E]

This gun was made by the Liege guntrade and originally proofed there. Perron, EL, Lion/PV (smokeless) marks show this. */X and */S are secret personal Liege inspector's stamps. Perhaps we can get closer to the original Belgian maker, if you can decypher the letters in the small circular stamp on the left barrel, forward of the flat.
The squarish action body, the tratment of the fences and the Anson pushrod foreend fastener are typical for the sound and solid using guns made by the guntrade there.
It was imported from Belgium by a wholesaler and retailed by Ad. Hoffmann, Salzwedel. For an unknown reason it was submitted by the gunmaker EK, Ernst Krausser, Bahnhofstr.22, Zella Mehlis, to the Zella-Mehlis proofhouse (NITRO in script) and reproofed (crown/R stamp) as a 16 bore 65mm = 2 1/2" chambers. The Z-M proofhouse reproofed the gun as lot number 222 of the month in 6.30, June 1930.

[richard adamson]

Hoffmann shotgun

The letters in the circle on the left barrel are: A and C (or O) over D. Does this help? Rick