I have a Simpson which I think was made right before WW II. The Simpson family was Jewish and I don't think it existed after WW II. This gun was shipped to Amberombie and Fitch with 28 in barrels and has been shortened to 26. It seems to be CYL x CYL. If it was made before the war would the chambers be 2.5 or 2 3/4. Also I know using 2 3/4 shells in a 2.5 in chamber would kick more but is it dangerous to shoot 2 3/4 in 2.5 chambers? I do intend to shoot some paper to see how it distributes the shot since I am thinking of using it as a grouse/woodcock gun this fall if I get to make the trip. Thanks for any help.

Nice problem to have
Can you please post pictures of the proof marks

And this may assist

http://www.shotguns.se/html/germany_1890-1945.html

most any gun shop will have a chamber gauge...

and for upland shooting, it is hard to beat rst 2 1/2" loads...

Modern-day chamber gages are made to SAAMI specs. This gun was not made to Saami specs. The chamber gage may, & in fact very often does, give a false reading on older guns.

murphy,
As Skeettx said, we can likely give you more info if you post photos of all markings, including especially proof marks on the bottom of the barrels, near the locking lugs. You had a particular question about choke. Under the prewar system, if a barrel was choked, it would be marked with a crown W. Lacking this mark, it would be cylinder bore. The factory was taken away from the family in the mid 30s and they were able to escape to the USA. In efforts to save the company and efforts to take it, several names were used instead of Simson. At various times, BSW, WAFFA, and Gustloff(?) were used. After the war, all gunmaking in Suhl was taken over by the communists. During this time, the Simson name was again used, to take advantage of their fine reputation. Photos of the markings will help sort this out. After the "wall came down" the Simson family survivors were able to recover some of their property. Of course, the business was gone.
Mike

As someone has already stated the Simson company was Jewish owned, and wound up being taken by the nazis. I spotted a Wehrmacht trainer .22 rifle once at a gunshow with outstanding wood. I thought it was ironic that a Jewish company was building trainers for the nazis...Geo

It was seized around 1935 by the Nazis. The family fled to the US in 1936. I don't think it was considered a Jewish company after that.

About all you need to know about Simson of Suhl:
http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/archives/archive-simson-co/

I shoot a Simson double rifle in .405 WCF and it is a good solid gun.

Simson is one of those companies that's frequently misspelled. (Kinda like Bernardelli.) It was indeed seized by the Nazis, after which it became BSW. Resurrected by the Commies after the war, when Germany split. So some guns marked Simson will be pre-war and made by an independent, Jewish-owned company. Others will be post-war, and made in East Germany. The German date code, among other factors, will tell which are which.

They did lovely work, this one was made for FW Varney &Co. Berlin/Hamburg, I imagine they were retailers.

An early 16 with no date code but very nice work for a nonejector level gun.

I had to take it in trade with a Francotte I wanted, I have never shot it. At some point in the distant past stock was cracked and repaired, probably by A&F. The man I got it from received it from his uncle back in the 1960's and he did all his shopping at A&F.

Anyone interested send me a PM for more info, I'll take care of Dave.

Nice pix.
The metal has held up well, but the wood could use a fresh up.

My Simson below has new wood which I have somehow managed not to dent despite hunting with it:

Rob:

Can you give us some more details?

Barrel length
Chamber length
Chokes
Weight
Stock dimensions?
Asking price?

Thanks.

Rem

Simson # 22559


16ga.,
6lbs, 2.75oz.
Bbls, 28-3/8”, 70mm chambers
Rt. bore, .671, .010 choke
Lt. bore, .670, .013 choke

LOP 14”
DAC 1-9/16”
DAM 1-15/16”
DAH 2-14”

Approx. 1/4” cast off.

MWT by OD-ID/2 .035-040”


$1800

Contact me at recoil@optimum.net

The company became Merkel/Simson/Haenel under the GDR . Later split up and as far as I know Simson disappeared .
During the combined companies the Simson guns were a plain version of the Merkel .