doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com German SXS Proof Marks and Serial Number

About a week ago I posted about a 16bore German SXS that I was having sent to me for inspection for purchase. I received the gun yesterday.

Overall the gun is in great original condition with some case colors, on face, 90%+ barrel blue, great triggers, uncut barrels, just overall a nice clean unbuggered gun.

It appears to be a "Trade" gun because there is no manufacturer name. Again it is a Greener type box lock with side clips, 29 1/2" barrels, non ejector, original tight chokes, English stock.

I would be interested to get an idea on the age. There are only a few proof marks on the barrel flats and only two proof marks on the receiver flat. All proof marks are very clear and legible including all of the lettering on the barrels.

The serial number is 9373.

The barrels read F.USSSTAHL KRUPP-ESSEN. On the barrels on the sides by the barrel flats is Nitro on both sides. On the front of the front left barrel flat is the letter C. On each side of the barrel flats is the number 16 and also on each side the number 16 inside a "O" circle. Each side has a "U" with a crown over it. The right side has a "Crown" with the Roman numeral IV underneath.Each side has another proof that is intricate....looks like a crown with intricate lines on three sides.

Only proofs on the receiver are the final proof "U" with crown over it and a intricate circle full of engraving in the center.

Any ideas on this German gun?

might be an early post war gun made up from parts to sell or trade to occupying troops?

The F.ussstahl Krupp Essen, is really Fluss Stahl Krupp Essen, which means Fluid Steel made by the Krupp firm located in Essen, which is a city in the Ruhr valley.The 16s in circles mean the gun is chambered for 16 ga 65mm(2 1/2-2 9/16")shells. The 16s(no circle)show the diameter of the bore( in ga. measurement) ahead of the chamber.These numbers don't always match.If either barrel has a crown W, that means it is choked(usually pretty tightly)( maybe the Roman numeral IV is really a W).For further information, it would be helpful if you post photos of the proof marks.
Mike

Any other ideas of date of manufacture?

greypartridge,
Other ideas,such as date and place of manufacture would be greatly helped by photos of markings.
Mike

A German gun will be marked as to date of manufacture if made
at least by 1922.

see here

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

http://www.shotguns.se/html/germany.html

Mike

skeettx,
If proofed in Zella-Mehlis, it may be dated earlier.
Mike