Product Details
J.P. SAUER & SOHN (SUHL)
A 'LUFTWAFFE' BOXLOCK NON-EJECTOR DRILLING, serial no. 337493, with extra barrels and stock and action of a second, serial no. 334619
original Krupp-steel barrels, serial no. 337493 in 12-bore and .410 (smoothbored from 9,3x74R), nitro reproved, with raised matt rib, flip-up open sights and bead foresight, the rib engraved with original rifle calibre, the makers name circumventing the breech ends, the right tube marked with the Luftwaffe eagle and swastika, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 3/4, 3/4 and true cyl. choke, missing extractor, date mark for December 1941;
extra Krupp-steel barrels from gun no. 334619 (fitted and nitro proofed to action 337493) in 12-bore / 9,3x74R with raised matt rib, flip-up open sights and bead foresight, the rib engraved with the rifle calibre, the makers name circumventing the breech ends, the right tube marked with the Luftwaffe eagle and swastika, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. 3/4 and full choke, date mark for March 1941;
scroll back treble-grip action with side-clips, cocking-indicators, tang mounted shot / ball barrel selector switch simultaneously activating flip-up open sights, manual side safety, border and partial scroll engraving, the underside with the Sauer trademark, set front trigger, retaining traces of original colour-hardening, 14 1/8in. pistolgrip stock, pin at head, with cheekpiece, the reverse marked with the Luftwaffe eagle and swastika, sling swivels, horn pistolgrip stock and pistolgrip-cap, weight 7lb. 9oz.;
stock and action of second action, serial no. 334619 as above, with setting cracks at head
Provenance: This drilling is being sold together with a history of correspondence between previous owners and Geoffrey Boothroyd, together with two instruction manuals (one a reproduction) and various articles on the Luftwaffe drillings taken from the shooting press.
At some point the original tubes had the rifle barrel smooth-bored to accept .410 cartridges and so a previous owner had another set of correct barrels mated to this action. The original barrels together with the stock and action of the donor gun will be supplied with this lot.
Other Notes: As the Second World War progressed, it became clear to the German Luftwaffe that their pilots were in need of some form of survival weapon. This train of thought was borne of the fact that the theatre of war had spread far beyond Western Europe. Previously there was a good chance of rescue or capture if aircrew survived a forced landing, but in North Africa, the Balkans or Russia this was far less certain.
Therefore, the Luftwaffe looked to the drilling as a way of providing both protection and sustenance for downed airmen in remote areas. This was sound thinking as many Germans hunted and the drilling was a familiar firearm to them. The firm of Sauer & Sohn were chosen to supply the guns and they were of high quality, surprising given that they would only be used in extremis. The wood was often fairly high grade walnut and the barrels were of fine Krupps steel, the drilling was given the designation M30.
Originally the drillings were supplied in an aluminium case also containing several shotgun cartridges, along with solid slugs (the left-hand barrel was regulated to accept these) and 9,3x74R ammunition. This meant that a crew member could shoot all manner of thin-skinned game at close or medium range and thus survive until he could find help.
The drillings were built in relatively small numbers due to both the high cost of manufacture and the fact that production was given over to more usual forms of military ordnance. Genuine examples are rare today.
Estimate £1,000-1,500