doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com GERMAN MADE GUNS

I just appraised a German Combination O/U on the 2015 series of the Arizona Collectibles TV show this past week. I personally believe this is an exquisite example of continental gun making and would be pleased to have it in my own collection.
I believe it's the second or third appraisal on this particular show which you can watch on the video link below.
Jim

http://video.azpbs.org/video/2365507931/

German guns, even the Field Grades, seem to command higher prices than their Spanish and even Belgian equivalents. True, the engraving styles, especially the deep relief types are different than the English style, and are a matter of personal taste. The Kerner-Anson action, in my opinion, is superior to the regular A&D type, and is much safer. Fritz liked to carry his gun slung, so when you walk down a muddy forest hill and your feet go out from under you, a gun with the K-A action won't go off and blow the back of your head off when the butt hits the ground. Left barrels often being regulated for slugs was also often a typical German feature. Versatile guns for versatile hunting styles, much like their dogs.

I have a friend trying to sell a nice mid-grade (basic game scene engraving, 16ga) Sauer with a hidden third bite instead of a crossbolt, he had it priced at $1800. I think he has it underpriced.

One of the points the guys over on the German Guns forum keep reiterating is that the post-war guns were made by the same craftsmen, so essentially the quality was the same, despite the guns being made in the glorious worker's paradise of East Germany.

Regards
Ken

One problem is that too many German guns are not "name" guns but guild guns or retailer names few here know. All the name first buyers are hard pressed to come up with more than two or three German makers.

I never was a fan of their engraving. Some think cheek pieces belong on rifles only. The wood often goes from plain to oak. Horn trigger guards look thick and clumsy to some. There are a lot of reason why German gun bring so little which is good for those who like them. Just not too good if you have one for sale.

Id say 1/2 that amount....2000-3000 on a v-good day

Maybe everybody should just put their old trashy German guns back on the market, especially the ones with those old "off brand" rifle calibers and obsolete short 16ga chambers. If the prices are low enough, maybe someone will be fooled into buying some of them.
Mike

My thinking runs close to KY Jon's. The German guns tend to be a visually heavy, chunky, brutish, whatever you want to call it. The lack of a widely recognized name is another obstacle, much like a lot of the fine Belgian guns.

Yes, and they'll stay tight and work well through the next Ice Age, too.

Germans make very good guns....



Notable makers of Magnum 98 are: Mauser, Johannsen, Heym and if you're really rich Hartmann & Weiss or Prechtl.

Although there are two top shotgun makers in Germany when it comes to those most well to do go shopping to: England, Italy, Belgium or Spain.

When it comes to old shotguns with few exceptions many have cheek pieces, swivels, extra bolting making them ugly and tight chokes and often the bores designed to take shot and ball or slug.

How about a 12 gauge with 2 5/8" chambers???

Ed, could you be a little more subtle about your bogus selling techniques?

Agree....