Prussian Sauer

[Ed Blake]

At Thanksgiving we were visiting my wife's family, and I stopped in a little local gunshop that specializes in C&R military arms such as old Mausers, Enfields, funky French guns, etc. Hanging on the wall was a pristine JP Sauer SxS in 12 gauge. It looked a bit out of place. I had nothing to trade at the time and no cash either, so I left it. We visited again this past week and I took a few old military rifles that I had not shot in years and were largely collecting dust. I wondered if it was still there, and lo and behold it was. I worked a trade and am quite pleased. I bet the gun has not had a flat of shells run through it. From what I can tell because of the "Made in Prussia" stamp on the watertable, it is a pre-WW1 gun. It has 30" barrels with 30 points of choke in each, but the bore size is .715! It also has 2 3/4" chambers and is marked "70" on the extractor face. I assume that is 70mm. There is a simple engraved border with about the same amount of overall engraving as a "G" grade Parker. The barrels have two underbites and a cross bolt. It makes a Parker action look a bit wobbly in comparison. First round of 5-stand at the local club I shot a 22/25, so it fits, at least that time it fit. Anyway, if anyone has any knowledge of these guns I'd love to hear from you.

[OH Osthaus]

a better picture of the proof marks may help. but it does look to be in great shape.

the Greener style crossbolt was common on the Sauers, they liked them really locked up

the screw in the upper part of the box indicates intercepting sears

you also might try the German gun collector's website

http://www.germanguns.com/

[Dean Romig]

A handsome gun Ed.

[KCordell]

Very nice find! congratulations...

[Double Lab]

Good trade Ed, you just never know what you will find in those out of the way gunshops and pawnshops. Lovely gun.

[Dennis]

That is a beautiful gun. I love the colors. Congratulations.

Dennis

[ed good]

based on the serial number and lack of date code stamp it is definitely a pre ww1 sauer...wonderful gun.

how much does it weigh?

[Ed Blake]

Thank you all for your kind remarks.

Ed, I'm not sure of the weight becauSe I don't have a good scale, but I would estimate it weighs between 7.5 and 8 pounds. Someone must have ordered it as a duck gun. The bore diameter of .715 really puzzles me though. The owner wanted a good seal for fibre wads, I guess.

[Double Play]

Originally Posted by Ed Blake

The bore diameter of .715 really puzzles me though. The owner wanted a good seal for fibre wads, I guess.

Ed,
The condition of your new gun is outstanding. I have a chart that shows minimum and maximum bore diameters of all gauges from various countries. The German 12 gauge standard bore for 1939 was .716-.732. As your gun is on the tighter side I would be curious if the felt recoil would be greater with the tight bores versus a gun of similar weight and larger bores shooting the same shells. English guns ranged from.710-.750 in 1954 according to this chart.

[Ed Blake]

Larry - I shoot 7/8 oz. at about 6,500 psi in everything, and I did not notice any increase in the felt recoil. That may change with 3dram trap loads. the 2 3/4" chambers may make the difference, however.

Ed - Do you know the bores and chokes on your gun?