doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 16ga Eduard Kettner SxS - a bit rough

Hey everyone,

Joined up looking for some information on an old Eduard Kettner shotgun of mine. Unfortunately, the bluing and stock are a bit rough, but the machining of this particular gun amazes me. It's a very smooth operator.











The stock has a few rough repairs, and looks to be cracked just behind the grip. Based on the age of the gun, I can't imagine it would be easy to replace off the shelf.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
-Jim

Hello Jim
Welcome on your first posting
Should be a fun workning gun!
I would say 2 1/2 inch chambers, please measure.
Mike

16 ga. proof in July 1925 for nitro proof loads. Should be a stout gun if in good condition. Looks like a thousand other Guild guns. Well made, serviceable guns a lot like our Sterlingworth or Ithace NID's. Have it checked out by an competent double smith and if you get the OK enjoy.

Thanks Mike! I think the chambers are 2 1/2", which seems to fit the era the gun was made in. I also have an 12ga Field Grade Ithaca Flues SxS from the same era, also with 2 1/2" chambers. I haven't tried to find proper shells for them, they're more heirlooms. Although, I'd love to have this one cleaned up a bit. The Flues has pretty average wear, with no cracks.

Assuming it is sound, clean it up. Stock it to fit, maybe add a little engraving, shoot and enjoy.

RST ammo is the way to go here
Order it and it will be delivered to your door

Keep it as is for one year and shoot it LOTS
Then decide path forward

http://www.rstshells.com/store/m/3-16-Gauge.aspx

Infomation for future reference, on a german proofed gun, a 16 in a circle means it was chambered for the standard length shells, which were 65mm( 2 1/2-2 9/16").If it were chambered for a longer shell, it would be required to show the chamber length next to the circle.For 2 3/4" chamber, the mark would be 70(ie 70mm).If it were rechambered later, a 70 or 2 3/4" might have been stamped somewhere else on the flat, or even the extractor.
Mike

But as already mentioned, before taking the above route, shoot it for awhile first (if safe). It is by no means cheap to have the above work done if you are paying to have it done. The cost would far outweigh the value of the gun if that should be a factor. Sometimes people have guns restored knowing full well they will never see their money back! (guilty as charged)

For curiosity's sake, what's the ballpark value for the gun, as it sits? I wouldn't mind sinking some money into it, especially to get the stock sorted out.

My Dad had it in our hunting cabin up in Pennsylvania, but I can't recall him ever using it. My uncle did fire a few low brass 2 3/4" shells through it, but I'm not sure he knew about the 2 1/2" chambers.

In my neck of the woods, it would be around a $300.00 gun tops as it is right now. Depending on who did the work, you are looking at a fair bit of cash just to have the stock properly repaired, re-checkered and refinished.