GECO 16ga, Emil Seeber

[rat shoot]

I have a 16ga. that I would like to know more about. Got the
shotgun when I was about 13.... Traded a single shot 30-30
for it. The trade mark on each barrel is GECO, on the rib is the
name Emil Seeber, Landau. Both barrels have Krupp-Laufstahl.
On the barrels and the receiver, the serial number 295000. Also
on the bottom of the barrel flats, both barrels 16 16 and 16 16
one each of the 16's enclosed in a circle. Also the numbers 3/29
which I assume is the date of manufacture. On each flat near the
receiver is Nitro on both barrels. Also various proof marks, S & W
printed vertically to the barrels with a crown over each. and the
letter U with a crown and eagle above. I've been using it with 2 3/4
inch shells for over 40 years and decided I should measure it using
a caliper. It does appear to measure correctly. Had a love of German
firearms since I was a small child and saw my first drilling when my
dad brought two back from WII. He always spoke about the quality
and craftsmanship. As a side note when I got older I ask him about
the Mauser 98. He said they had no idea they would have value as
a sporting rifle. He said they would line them up on a curb for miles
and then drive a tank down them to insure they would not be used
again. I would appreciated any help received on my old double barrel.

thanks

[mike ford]

rat shoot
Your gun was proofed as having the standard(at the time) 16 ga chamber, as shown by the 16 in a circle.The chamber length as proofed was 65mm( 2 1/2-2 9/16"). If it were proofed for 2 3/4" shells, there would be a 70 next to the 16 in a circle( if it really does have a long chamber,it was rechambered in the US). The 16 without a circle is the diameter of the bore. The crown S means it was proofed for shot. The crown W means it was choked(amount not stated).The crown U is for the view proof, which is a detailed inspection. It is very hard to measure the chamber length with a caliper. A plug type gage is more reliable.
Mike

[rat shoot]

Thank you very much for the info. Don't think it was re-chamber in U.S. I got it in about
1962. It had been brought back from a 1950's duty station by a family friend. Had a broken
firing pin spring and had not been used for some time. Sounds like I should have it measured
by a real gunsmith just to make sure my measure was right before I shoot it anymore. The
chokes are full and full and barrels are almost 30". Who do you think made the gun? I read
somewhere that GECO was a retail sales type store and did not make guns. I greatly appreciate
your help!! It shoots great. Used it for birds, fox, coons, coyotes, turkey, ducks (when it was
legal before steel) with heavy loads. Action remains tight. The grand kids will be the next owner.
Need to make sure what I got before that happens. About what year did the standard become
2 3/4?
thanks again'
don

[Axel E]

GECO was the Trademark of the wholesaler and ammo manufacturer Gustav Genschow & Co., Berlin, with branches in Königsberg, Frankfurt on Main, Nuernberg, Suhl, Durlach (ammo factory) and Koeln. It was retailed by Emil Seeber, Gerberstr. 18, Landau in Palatinate. Proofed indeed 3/29 = March 1929 for 65mm = 2 1/2" shells, but the chambers may even then have been longer from the start. Proof rules then prescribed only minimum chamber lengths. German proof laws: Only shotguns proofed for 65mm = 2 1/2" cases need not to be marked as to case length. Guns proofed for the use of longer cases are marked so besides the proof marks, 70 mm (= 2 3/4") or 76 mm (= 3"). 2 3/4" cases became standard in Germany after WW2 only.
GECO bought in their guns from the Suhl, Zella-Mehlis and even Liege(pre-WW1 and post-WW2) guntrade. Your gun was made in Germany though, because of the German proofs: crown/S = shotgun, crown/U = inspected/viewed for defects after proof firing, crown/W = choke bore, eagle = basic proof mark. Look closely at the word Nitro: If it is in block letters, the gun was made and proofed in Suhl, if in script, Zella - Mehlis.

[rat shoot]

Thanks for everyone's help. Made a print copy to keep with the gun. I really
enjoy the history. And I'll be making a trip to a gunsmith shop in Austin to
get the chamber properly measured. Nitro is in block letters.

Thanks Again,
don