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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28 |
I have a German made 16 gauge SxS shotgun with 2-1/2 chambers. The name on the gun is BSW - Suhl. I read the history of this company, but I have never seen anything regarding the quality of these shotguns. Does anyone know anything about them? General value?
Last edited by texasbilly; 01/05/15 07:19 PM.
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6 |
You may want to check with the folks at the German Gun Collectors Ass'n website. I passed up on a chance to buy one a few years ago and still regret it. Subject to the rule about buying the gun and not the maker, BSWs were well made and reflect the quality of German making at the time.
Posting some pics (including the proof marks) will help elicit some more specific comments.
Last edited by Doverham; 01/05/15 07:31 PM.
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2013
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It was originally Simson, one of the larger companies in Suhl. (if not the largest) They were jews, so they sensibly left Germany, I think in 1934 or thereabouts. The company name then changed to BSW. As I recall, the name was then changed to Gustloff-Werke in 1944. From what I've read, the quality was similar to the other German firms. The ones I've actually handled were pretty standard for pre-war German guns, the quality was excellent. Not a lot of'em around, you might see what Simpson's Ltd. is asking for theirs, they usually have a few.
The Simson name was also used on post-war guns.
Last edited by Ken61; 01/05/15 07:52 PM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,742 Likes: 97 |
61: sadly, not all of the simson family escaped the nazi menace.
tragically, some were murdered...simson were makers of fine sporting arms in suhl for generations.
latest original simson sxs i have seen was date coded 1936, as i recall.
here is some more history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simson_%28company%29
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
texasbilly, it is usually hazardous to your wallet to judge a gun's quality by the brand name. Most makers/vendors made/sold a wide variety of Original Quality grades of guns; OQ grade depending on price point. You will be far better served in developing your ability to judge quality on your own; remembering it is independent from the name on the gun.
I value vintage guns reasonably accurately by combining Original Quality grade (OQ), Brand Value level (BV), and Current Condition level (CC). So, I'll assume this was between a second and third grade OQ gun (OQ6 to OQ7); say, 1/3 good engraving coverage, good figured wood, and good fit and finish. The brand value level for BSW is level four or BV4 (lessor known Continental makers, often associated with modest quality guns). Assume the Current Condition is between CC3 (significant use) and CC4 (heavy use, but no abuse). BV4-OQ6-CC3 = $1160, BV4-OQ6-CC4 = $883, BV4-OQ7-CC3 = $810, and BV4-OQ7-CC4 = $616. See if you can fit the gun as you see/remember it into that matrix. Comment welcome.
Questions?
DDA
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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I have one of their 16 gauges that was made during the Nazi overtaking of this Company. The quality remained excellent. Jim
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,383 Likes: 106 |
BSW became Simson again after the war, although they were made in the same East German plant as Sauers (also called Fortuna) and Merkels. Sauer is probably the most confusing, because they were being made simultaneously in both East and West Germany. The West German ones were always marked West Germany. Quality seemed to be pretty good in all of those guns.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
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Last edited by Doverham; 01/06/15 11:22 AM.
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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being an ejector gun would have sold me is that a GDR gun?
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,373 Likes: 6 |
No - it was prewar, late '30s. And 2 3/4" chambers . . . .
Last edited by Doverham; 01/06/15 12:19 PM.
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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