Kohner, Korner or Kornef?

[sharps4590]

I'm not certain what to make of the name on the rib of this drilling. Any opinions appreciated.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/pop...9A04F1AD30.JPG

Here's the rest of the ad:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Koh...n_id=100494192

We'll finish the details on the deal this morning, should be a slam dunk, and it will be on its way to my abode next week. As retirement looms my consumptive spending will have to be severely curtailed until we get a handle on exactly how we'll fare in regards to disposable income. As I have long lusted for a drilling with nice Damascus barrels this will hopefully cap an enjoyable run in the acquisition of German firearms. Of course that depends on the drilling being as good in hand as it appears in the pictures. I already load for 11.15 X 60R, if that is indeed what the drilling is chambered to, so it shouldn't take long to hear the old gal roar again. Only question, providing it is 11.15 X 60R, is the bore diameter. That might take a bit of work up. I will once again break out my favorite propellant, black powder, and put this old piece back to work!!!

[Steve Whitley]

Definitely Friedrich Körner. Interestingly, this is also the name of a Luftwaffe flying ace.

[Axel E]

Friedrich Körner (with Umlaut ö = oe), Siegen in Westfalen, Hofbüchsenmacher = gunmaker to the court of the Fürsten = Princes Sayn - Wittgenstein. A pinfire shotgun , about 1870, signed by him is known. Last mentioned 1920.

[mike ford]

Vic,
From experience, I can tell you, you can forget about disposable income when you get "retarded". Also, while it is possible,the caliber is not as likely to be 11.15x60R, as one of the 11.15 LK cartridges or one of the shorter MB 11mm cartridges. The fun is in working it out.
Mike

[sharps4590]

Thanks Steve, Axel. I appreciate the info. Steve, where do you dig up such information? Wow.... So Axel, there is a probability Korner built the gun?

Mike, I suspect such but I can hope....can't I...lol! I wondered about the case, still do, and questioned the seller more closely than he could answer. Seems during the conversation I did more educating than information gathering. He sounded like a decent sort of fella, pleasant conversation and all, but told me this is his first drilling. He did say the previous owner told him he shot 43 Mauser out of it but who knows. A chamber cast will tell all, then, as you said, the fun will begin. I'll admit....those Damascus barrels drew me in like a hot young girl of about 45.....

[Axel E]

Quote sharps4590: So Axel, there is a probability Korner built the gun?
At first glance, I very much doubt that. At least, he bought in the gun in the white from one of the gunmaking Centers and had it engraved, stocked and finished to his own ideas. More likely, he had the gun made to his "house style" by the real "gunmaking gunmakers". Most such country gunmakers, even "name" ones like Brenneke or Barella, were retailing guns made by others to their design. Only looking at proof- and other internal marks will reveal the real maker or not.
BTW, if your keyboard does not have an German Umlaut ö, spell the man "Koerner". "ö" is just another writing of "oe" and fully interchangeable in German.
Steve, both "Körner" and "Friedrich" are not really rare names in Germany.

[mike ford]

Vic,
If it is true that the previous owner shot 43 Mauser out of it, it could not be chambered for any of the cartridges I mentioned. A 43 Mauser cartridge would not chamber in any of them.I didn't click on either of the links above,is the drilling a 12ga? This would give a little more room for 11.15x60R(aka 11mm Mauser,aka 43 Mauser).
Mike

[Steve Whitley]

[QUOTE=Axel E
Steve, both "Körner" and "Friedrich" are not really rare names in Germany.[/QUOTE]

Axel, I have lived there, I know the language, and I did not imply, infer, or suggest it was the same man. I thought it was an interesting bit of trivia. Not my first day off of the turnip truck.

sharps4590, I have long been a student of history, and used to guide tours of WWII battle sites across Europe. I recognized that name as a recipient of the Knights Cross from a book to which I had contributed some effort several, several years ago.

Steve

[sharps4590]

From the conversation it does have more proofs on the barrel and barrel flats than I expected. Once it gets here I'll try to post pictures of them.

Steve, we have something in common other than German firearms. I've been a student of history since I learned to read. It's just been recently that I started studying German history, however. I bet being a tour guide there was immensely interesting.

Mike, it's a 16 bore and obviously all I am aware of is what the gentleman told me. The rifle chamber looks big but one can't really tell from a picture...at least I can't.

[mike ford]

Vic,
I finally clicked on the link,but there was nothing to indicate the caliber. The rim recess, however, did seem to be deep enough for a Mauser Base(MB) cartridge.
Mike