From what I have read, the follow definitions exist in this order:

Q1 = Best quality
1 = Good quality
S = Special quality
2 = Utility quality

This information comes from one website specifically. I now own two of these guns (16 ga) made by the "Simson" factory and dated 1955 and 1963 respectively. One is marked as Q1 and the other is marked as S. I've compared the wood grade, the checkering, the engraving and the fit/function between the two and to be honest, they seem very similar. Granted, they've seen a few years of honest use in Europe, so a true comparison is beyond me (ala new from the factory comparison).

So my question to you learned ladies and gentlemen is this: is the above hierarchy correct? Logically speaking, I would assume that "special" would be above good rather than being between "good" and "utility" (reasoning based merely on the adjective used). Under the S there are also three sets of numbers separated by a slash "/". Does anyone have any idea what those may represent?

My other question is does anyone have any information regarding HOW these were graded and what kind of standards the grade was based on?

Thank you for any insight anyone can provide..

Q1 is Outstanding quality while Special(Sonderqualität) is between 1st & Outstanding being used between 1950 to 1961

Q1 - Hervorragende Qualitäat

1 - Gute Qualität

2 - Gebrauchqualität

S - Sonderqualität

Image is best for decipher.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, as usual your insight is spectacular. Thank you.

Here's a picture of the stamping. The numbers are "33/284/0006".

Not really sure but the last number might be consecutive/sequential number for that modell/example, possibly for that year??? I'd like to see as many as possible with these numbers, but the 1st number ranges from 33 - 38, then second looks to be a constant @ 284 and the last spirals upward. What's the month of proof on the 1955 example?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

The month of proof is July (755).

The 1955 gun does differ from the 1963 gun in that it has some form of script on each barrel near the "S" smoothbore proof. I'm not sure if this has any relation.

As far as I know, the validity of the Q1 stamp is very limited. Merkel themselves say, that all guns made in the GDR for export to the West were stamped with Q1 only for advertising purposes…..
Usually quality with Merkel guns was no problem until the 1970ies.
But for sure, you always have to inspect the gun carefully.

You can find Q1 stamps also on Simson guns made in GDR.

Cheers,
Gunwolf

My Simson, proofed 10/79, has a Q1 stamp.

Read the German ads for doubles on egun.de and see how some of the sellers will emphasize the gun they're selling bears a Q1.