J.P. Sauer Krupp Steel

[David]

I was at a small gunshow this weekend and picked up a J.P. Sauer drilling in 16ga. I'm not sure the rifle caliber yet but, will find out this week. This gun is in unbelievable condition. The breakdown lever is under the trigger gaurd. It has side plates and hammers. Flip up site on the rib. And also has a peep site on the back tang. I will try to post some pictures as soon as I can. Bores are shiny as new, rifle barrel looks like new. Has Krupp steel barrels. I want to take it rabbit hunting Wednesday. Do you guys think it would be safe to shoot? And, should I use 2 1/2 inch shells?
Thanks for any help,
David

[OH Osthaus]

shiny bores are great if they do not result from a honing. Krupp steel is fine steel. You may find a date code one the water table for when it was made.

but really safe to shoot requires a proper inspection

pictures please, small show? Rochester?

[David]

It was a bring back from the mans dad after WW2 said it was keep in a cedar closet i will try to post some pic

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by David Long

It was a bring back from the mans dad after WW2 said it was keep in a cedar closet i will try to post some pic

I have seen several good Sauer & Sohn made in Shul recently, many with a similar provenance. there are treasures yet to be uncovered out there.

[Richard Flanders]

Look on the Safari Outfitters site. They have some incredible Sauers. I doubt you can go wrong buying one. They are seriously undervalued in my book.

[edgarspencer]

The date will be stamped in a 3 digit number on the rifle barrel, on the very bottom, beneath the fore end. Also, the rifle caliber should be stamped. Under lever latches are anywhere from the late 1800ss to 1920ish. The most common rifle calibers of early drillings were straight tapered cartridges like 6.5x48mm. From about 1915 on, it was the 8mm bottle neck mauser or the straight cased 9.3mm (9.3x72mm was the most common) Lass common, but VERY desireable, is the metric equivalent of 25-35 win, something like 5.6x 52 I think. I've had drillings in .22 hornet all the way up to 30-06.
If the barrel is staamped 7.99mm it is likely 8x57JRS (.323"), if it says 7.8mm, it is likely 8x57JR (.318") Any 8mm drilling of the vintage of yours should have the bored slugged, as it's possible to shoot the larger bullet in guns intended for .318" causing very high pressures. With the exception of the early tapered cartridges, most of the loaded ammo is again available, but cases for all of them are available.

[Richard Flanders]

Here's a nice looking Sauer from the SO site. There's also a "German" 16 ga on there for $2950 that is a stunning piece of craftsmanship. Looks like a $75,000 gun. Who wouldn't love to have this gun on the rack, eh? These nice old Sauers owe no one an apology. Looking forward to pics of your drilling David.

[charlie cleveland]

i agree with richard the sauers are a work of art....even if you have a early drilling with obsolete bore you can make or have made new brass and still shoot these fine old guns...the drilling i have is 16 by 16 7x57 r its been scoped with quick detachable mounts but they just dont look as nice configured this way...the drilling is probably most overlooked and under priced gun in the world.... charlie

[edgarspencer]

Apart from the obvious high grade engraving, that's a rare Sauer, as it has intercepting sears.

[Double Trouble]

It's safe to say that low pressure 2 1/2" shells (RST) are the way to go, as long as the gun checks out first...

I shoot RST 7/8 ounce loads for small game in my hammer drilling (in 16 x 16 x 9.3x72R) - proofed in 1904. Shotgun bore look like hell, but she's a good shooter. (All I need is to find the right rifle load that will shoot to point of aim...)