Asking for a little help with a RS 9mm Shotgun.

[Acera]

Got a firearm in the collection I would like some assistance in filling in some missing pieces of.

It is a bolt action, single shot, 9mm rim-fire (Flobert), smooth bore shotgun.

Very similar to the 'garden guns' that were popular in the early 1900s.

I believe RS is the manufacturer, as it's marked on the top of the receiver.

Model 600.

5 digit serial number.

The 'winged' proof mark is on numerous pieces, as seen in the picture of the top of the bolt below. (Is this the 'The Lone Eagle' proof mark?)

Made in Germany, guessing that it is post unification.

Receiver seems to be grooved for a scope mount.

Simple non-adjustable V-notch and post sights. Front sight has a hood on it.

24 inch barrel.

Found one almost just like it sold about 8 years ago on a auction, with less information than I have.

Can't find any import markings on it.

Trying to figure out it's story, value, year made, etc.



I do have modern ammo for it and have shot it years ago.









From another discussion, it was suggested that this might be a GI bring back from Germany. Purchased at a PX or local store and imported in personal baggage.


Thanks for any assistance.

[Kiwi_bloke]

Can you take a good picture of those proof marks, which may have a couple of small letters or numbers that will be the year. The actual marks will help too. I think it's is probably 1960's offhand.

[Kiwi_bloke]

Can you take a good picture of those proof marks, which may have a couple of small letters or numbers that will be the year. The actual marks will help too. I think it's is probably 1960's offhand.

[Axel E]

That German federal eagle proofmark with the wings merely outlined was in use from 1971 to 1973 only. In 1972 the German gun law was changed. These 9mm smoothbore garden guns were rated "firearms" from then on, subject to licensing too. This effectively killed the market and manufacturing of such guns. So the gun may be dated 1971-72.

[Kiwi_bloke]

I wonder if the gun was made by RHÖNER Sportwaffen. Their .22lr Model 69a looks very like this. The only thing is that the "RS" trademark is not what is registered to them and I can't find an example of it. They used "SM", (which was for Sport und Munition"), in a circle. The company in Weisbach, Germany, began in 1959 and moved into sporting arms around 1966. They've since been brought out, (1999?). It's not unusual for gun makers to use different brands and perhaps, if it is a RHÖNER, they used "RS" for another market at the request of the importer, for instance. I think they may have had a relationship with Beeman of USA. The RHÖNER 9mm Flobert rifle version is known as just "Model 69", (i.e. no letter "a"). You should be able to still buy shot cartridges for these rifles from makers such as Fiocchi, if you are pestered by sparrows which was probably the main target of garden guns such as this.

[Axel E]

Yes, the gun was made by Rhoener Sportwaffenfabrik GmbH in Oberelsbach - Weisbach, northern Bavaria. The company made cheap guns for retail by several wholesalers and mailorder retailers. They used the "SM" trademark predominantly on their gas/blank pistols. They marked guns with the tms "RS", "Mars", "Burgo", "Akah" and likely others too. The company was bankrupt in 1999 and closed down for good. The factory building in Weisbach rotted away until 2010, now occupied by a specialized machinery maker not involved in gunmaking..

[Acera]

Ok, got some better images today. Used the magnifier option instead of a regular camera option on the cell phone. Seeing a lot of things that I could not with just my eyes now.

Am I safe to assume that the '73' stamp is the manufacturer date (or when it was proofed prior to leaving the factory)?

What I thought was scratches, dings seems to be an attempt at letters now. Maybe Sarco INC?? Could that be the importer stamp? Still can't find a city and state which I think is now required to be placed on imported firearms.

Kiwi_bloke, looking like the .22 rifle you mentioned might explain why it seems to be grooved for a scope. Others have suggested that might mean they used a common receiver for both types of guns.

I do have a few boxes of shells for it, have not shot it in years, but the ammo is not antique and in great shape.

Curious why this would not have been marked "Made in West Germany" instead of just "Made in Germany".



All assistance is appreciated.




.

[mike ford]

Acera,
The shield is the mark of the Munich proof house. They had a subordinate office at Melrichstadt(?) in northern Bavaria and your gun was likely proofed there as it was near them as well as Muennerstadt( Heym located there), Weirauch(?) was located in Melrichstadt and would have used this proofhouse, as would the private gunsmiths in the area.
Mike

[Acera]

Thanks Mike.


That is interesting as that little town is about an hour drive from where I lived for a couple of years.

[Diz]

Acera,

It certainly looks like SARCO INC. and they may have been the importer. They had a large business doing that in Sterling, New Jersey for many years but recently moved to Pennsylvania only about 20 minutes from me. I have a nice Hanquet cape rifle that is stamped with sarco inc. as well.

Thanks, Diz

[Acera]

Yes Sir, I agree. Until I used the magnifier it just looked like dings and scratches to me. I can now see why the BATFE has started squawking about engraving requirements, it must have gotten sloppy with some companies.

Now if you offering a trade for your Hanquet....................................LOL.

(I can dream, can't I???)

[Acera]

Ok, found some more supporting evidence it was imported by Sarco.

Decided to take the little gun apart and look for any more markings and found this on the bottom of the barrel. Shaking my head at whoever had the job to mark these guns.

Other note, the eagle proof mark is on the receiver, barrel, bolt, and bolt handle.

[Diz]

Acera,

My guess and only a guess was that the multi-stamping was to obliterate some previous stampings. I am still working up loads for the Hanquet. It's chambered 12.7 x 44R and 16 gauge. Side lock hammer gun.

Thanks, Diz

[Kiwi_bloke]

It looks like "Made in West Germany" or "Made in Western Germany" became popular after 1952/55. But a court ruling in 1973 made it a lot more common to mark products "Made in West Germany". So had your gun been made a year later it might more likely have been marked "Made in Western Germany". In terms of the scope mounting grooves, I'm sure you're right. The parts were probably common to both .22 and 9mm Flobert. BTW, the Bavarian state flag is crosshatched (like a chequerboard) white and blue and you'll often see this theme on local things like table cloths. In this case, it's the crosshatched shield that identifies the proof house.

[mike ford]

Acera,
Where did you live and when were you there?
Mike