doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Inherited drilling need info

I inherited a drilling from my grandfather. I know from a few makings on the bottom of the shotgun barrels that they are 20 gauge. I know the rifled barrel is a 6.5 x 58r souer thanks two a card my grandfather left rolled in one if the barrels. What I don't know is any other information like manufacturer or what year it was made. Any information would be awesome and very much appreciated. The gun is not for sale. If any more pictures are needed feel free to let me know I really just want to know more about this rifle my grand after owned it my entire life and as a child I remembered him telling every grown man that walked into the house about this rifle, it hung on the wall in his main living room. He passed before I was old enough for him to tell me about it.
Thank you.

Very uncommon to see an older drilling with 20 gauge shotgun barrels, but there it is. Moreso with a smaller-bore like the 6.5. It'd be ideal for smaller game - reh (roe deer), fox, etc., in Europe, anything up to and including whitetails here.

Looks to me like it was proofed in March, 1913 in one of the Thuringian proofhouses - I can't tell which. There are a couple other guys who hang out here who can give you more detailed information. They might even be able to tell you the names of the smiths who made it. Looks like a Roux-type action - a design I like on aesthetics but a lot of other guys knock down b/c some other action designs are perceived to be a bit "better". Nice, classic Germanic engraving. All in all, a gun to be proud of.

So, it will have its centenary sometime next spring. Keep it well with regular cleaning and the ever-popular light coat of oil on the mechanicals and stock wax on the wood and it'll be good for another hundred.

The rifle bbl was proofed for a smokeless powder load of 1.3 grams (about 20 grains) of powder with the standard jacketed bullet. I don't recall offhand just what powder the GBP was & was actually proofed for use with a steel jacketed bullet (St.m.G). I am not seeing the nitro proof for the shot bbls, but one would expect them to be there in 1913. In any case it would likely have beeen chambered for the 65mmm shell.

313. notes a 6,25mm pre-rifled plug gauge & since it has the voluntary Nitro stamp(July 23rd, 1893) with a designated powder type over a bullet type, I'd say it was made between 1895 & say 1905. I would guess it was made in Zella-Mehlis even though it lacks a date a ledger number, which may have been used a little later. GBP is for Gewehr Bl�ttchenpulver). Any stamps on the frame or standing breech? Look closely near the forend lug for initials.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

ok - I read the 313 as a proof date.

RST has 2 1/2 inch ammo in 20 gauge

http://www.rstshells.com/rst_classic_shotshells_shotshells.htm

6.5 x 58r Sauer
And looks like brass/ammo for the can be made from the
available 9.3x72R case being sized down.

Mike

Thanks evey one for all the great inormation. Here some pictures of some things I fergot.

In the enter of the red square is an s with what appears to be a yellow shield.


I think this says. Stahl


And this one says, krupp


Two more better pictures from beneath the barrel.

Ah yes; a 313 gauge calculates to .246" or 6.25mm. I had never before seen a gauge mark or chart which showed gauges smaller than 172.29 or .300"/7.62mm. I had doubts that was a date stamp but didn't think about what it actually was so didn't disagree. If I am remembering correct from 1912 on smokeless proof was compulsory & this one doesn't have them on the shot bbls so makes sense it is pre 1912 at least.

Harold,
I'm happy this Drilling is not for sale,keeping and using it will honor your grandfather.Skeetx is right about using 2 1/2 inch shells and not the easily avaliable 2 3/4 inch shells.Since 3 inch shells are avaliable,some unknowing store clerk may try to sell you 2 3/4inch, as "short shells". He is also correct that cases can be made from 9.3x72R,but a little cheaper/easier solution is to use Starline original length 38-55 cases. They are a little short,but will lengthen in the sizing process.Also the 6.5x58R Sauer usually has a groove diameter less than regular 6.5mm bullets.It is easy enough to size .264" bullets to the diameter required(usually .260-.262").Some people just use 25 cal(.257")bullets instead.If they are accurate enough,they will be safe.I hope you enjoy this gun and leave it to your son,telling him about his greatgrandad.
Mike

The 38-55 idea is swell,
And the brass is MUCH less expensive.

Mike

The S you mention is where the tubes were proofed early on as a separate component. Can you tell if the stamp above the Crown over G is a RW or something else.


Tube fitter RW?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Looks like a "J" next to the 313.

And I'll chime in on the RST 2.5 inch shells. I picked up a box of them to use as hunting loads in my 20 ga Parker and they do an admirable job on grouse. They're readily available and excellent quality.

Yeah, I'd say that is the initial of the craftsman associated with some component of the tube making, albeit somewhat smaller that the J typically seen.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse