J Nicklas Drilling

[M2BMG]

I am inquiring about a drilling that has been our possession for awhile. It is a 20/20 and approx 6mm rifle, but we are unsure the exact cartridge. The barrels are marked Krupp. The manf is marked as J. Nicklas (Johan Nicklas?) and it is also marked as Riga, which I believe to be the city of manf. Would anyone be able to impart additional knowledge or point to a source to do additional research, so far our internet searches have turned up very little. Your help is greatly appreciated.

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[mike ford]

M2BMG (MA Duce?)
J.Nicklas was likely the retailer, rather than the manufacturer, and he was likely located in Riga. The Drilling was likely made in Suhl, and the caliber of the Rifle barrel seems to be 6.5x58R S&S, which was a popular cartridge at one time. If you would remove the barrels from the receiver, highlight the markings( with chalk), and provide clear photos of all the markings, more information can likely be provided.
Mike

[algmule]

Hello

I´m curious to find out what the DRGM is about. Some cocking device? Does anyone know?

Kind regards
Peter

[M2BMG]

Thanks for the quick reply, please see the below pics.

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[algmule]

Hello

If my eyes aren´t betraying me it would seem the Drilling passed through the proof facility in Suhl in May 1926. So we know that whoever retailed the thing was around then.

A google search netted a couple of other guns marked J Nicklas on Finnish and Russian(?) forums. Linguistic problems occurred to say the least.

Kind regards
Peter

Edit: there was however a JP S&S model Habicht on SGW and another gun given as JP S&S on James Julia but marked J Nicklas. Perhaps J Nicklas bought in guns from JP S&S?

[MARAT]

I think it is some safety device. If you don't press it, you can't shot

[MARAT]

J. Niclas was a gunsmith in Riga ( Russian Impire, then Latvia republic)

[mike ford]

Peter,
Maybe my eyes are betraying me, but I read the date as either Mar or Aug (either3 or 8) of 1928. I would be more comfortable if the marks were highlighted. I couldn't see the shotgun proofs, but if there is a 20 in a circle and no 70 next to it, then it has 65mm chamber; if there is a 70 there, then it has 70mm( 2 3/4") chambers. It would more than likely be 65mm. If either or both smoothbore barrels has a crown W, then it is choked, amount of constriction not shown. I was leaning toward this being a Sauer made for "the trade" and sold to J Nicklas for further sale. I believe the "DGRM" is on a grip safety and I believe Meffert had an earlier grip safety( I think I remember Axel having one), so maybe it is a Meffert. Maybe Axel can ask " Flintenkalle" ( Shotgun Charlie) to solve the mystery. I believe this would be a fun drilling to play with, which means handloading. The barrels in 6.5x58R usually have smaller than .264" groove diameter that would require using smaller bullets or sizing .264" to fit the barrel.
Mike

[algmule]

Hello

sorry, but I'm using this thread to post some info. Partly on Johann/Iwan Nicklas but also on an A. Leutner & Co.

Igor,
here's from a newspaper on Johann Nicklas
3-Igor.jpg
and below is an image of an ad. To me the last time the title Büchsenschmiedemeister is used by the company
4-Igor.jpg
Sorry, but I don't know if Karl Nicklas was a son or a brother to Johann but he is mentioned in 1905 in connection with a burglary from a Waffenmagazin von Karl Nicklas in Marstallstraße. As Johann was 75 years in 1909 when he died I'd put my money on Karl being his son.

On to A. Leutner & Co. Sorry if I was unclear but I never saw any guns marked A. Leutner & Co, Riga. What I meant was that the business must have sold a few guns otherwise they wouldn't have continued to advertize guns. Last ad with guns I've seen is from 1914. I did however forget to mention that A. Leutner & Co was the successor to Barthelmes. So they claimed anyway. See below
1-Igor.jpg
2-Igor.jpg
Part from peddling guns and bicycles they seem to have peddled cars as well. Below is Omega bicycle
5-Igor.JPG

Hope the above helps. If I find anything further I'll let you know

Kind regards
Peter