Smooth bored drilling by Sauer

[MARAT]

I hope it will be interesting for GGCA membersWP_20141209_20_27_00_Pro.jpgWP_20141209_20_27_40_Pro.jpgWP_20141209_20_28_49_Pro.jpgWP_20141209_20_29_15_Pro.jpgWP_20141209_20_29_32_Pro.jpg

[MARAT]

WP_20141209_20_33_38_Pro.jpgWP_20141209_20_29_53_Pro.jpgWP_20141209_20_33_24_Pro.jpgwhen it was made?

[MARAT]

it is in 16 gauge and has Damascus barrels.
To shoot from the under barrel , you take a side top lever and press first trigger.

[mike ford]

MARAT,
The fact that it came from Suhl,yet has no proofmarks indicates it was made before the proof law of 1891 came into effect on 1 April 1893. If it had still been "in stock" on 1 April, it would have been marked with a "Crown V'', so it had likely been bought by it's first owner before that date.
Mike

[MARAT]

It has serial number 22578, may be it will help to identify the year???

[Axel E]

According to Jim Cate's Sauer & Sohn book, the drilling's "start" may be dated to 1885 - 1888. S&S assigned their serial numbers right at the beginning of making a gun, not when the gun was completed and sold.

[Jim Cate]

That is correct Axel. The numbering was done at the beginning in order that Sauer could determine accurate inventory levels of all models at any given time, which would include gauge, caliber, etc. Any particular Sauer gun could have been partially finished for weeks, months or even several years before it was ordered by a customer. It was then basically finished, completely functional, still in the white, sent to the Proofhouse, and if all went well there it was taken back to Sauer then it was engraved (if ordered), blued and completely finished then. This was the basic process that a lot of collectors have not considered. After all, why would Sauer have the engraving done and the finished gun blued only to have a gun fail the proofing process? Hope this simplistic explanation is helpful.