A friend has a SXS that Has nothing but Bohler-Stahl stamped on it. I am guessing that refers to the steel.
Have a pic of the flats. Any help with any ID info would be appreciated.

Definitely German proof marks,

Crowned 'U' represents “Untersuchung” and is definitive proof on guns in final state used 1891 t0 1939. Was replaced in 1912 by a Crown N or 'NITRO', but was still valid until 1939 as final black powder proof.

The Crowned 'S' and Crowned 'W' German proof used between 1891 to 1945 and are proof on smoothbore barrels and proof on choked barrels, respectively.

Thank you treblig.
Any way to determine the maker?

The barrel steel is from Boehler. The SXS is proofed in August 1925 (8/25) in Suhl with nitro powder. Caliber is 16 x 65mm, left barrel is choked (crown over W). The maker isn't shown.

The 16/1 stamp indicates the barrels were slightly overbored at time of proof compared to standard 16 gauge diameter. I think it indicates they would have been somewhere between .669"-.676", probably closer to .669".

Wannagohunting, any stamps/markings on the watertable?

>>>The 16/1 stamp indicates the barrels were slightly overbored at time of proof compared to standard 16 gauge diameter. I think it indicates they would have been somewhere between .669"-.676", probably closer to .669".<<<

The 16 in a circle indicates the nominal gauge of the shotgun and the 16/1 shows that the actual diameter of the bores is between .662" and .669".

"IF" it had been between .662" & .669" it would have had the 16 in circle for nominal chamber & 16 for bore size. The 16/1 means it accepted a .669" gage but not a .677" one. .677" is 15 gauge, 16/1 is halfway between 16 & 15 dropped to three decimal places, thus .669". The bores were marked with the largest plug gage they would accept. In calculating the whole number gauge sizes they were "Rounded" to three decimal places but the "Tweens" were simply a fractional part with all digits beyond three decimal places dropped.

He's also trying to find out who built this gun. We need more pictures.

Indeed, more images are required. Looks like the tubes were sourced from Römerwerke but the stamps are well worn.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

I will try and look at the water table soon.

Also check the sides of the lugs as well as the standing breech.


Cheers,


Raimey
rse

He sent me a couple more pics and says he can't find any other stampings on the gun.

Wow, another German masterpiece!!!

shore looks sauer ish...but why a pre war field gon wid no makers name? unless, it is one of a job lot made up for inventory and branding at a later date...

did sauer source barrels from multiple suppliers, or just krupp?

Per makers name - it is my understanding that the "village" gunmakers often/usually did not mark their guns as they were sold into a very limited community and everyone knew who made the guns. For the maker to put his name on the gun might well be interpreted as vanity. Quality level was a function of cost and not of the maker's ability; everyone knew this. Gunmakers didn't envision there wares being packed off to America.

DDA

These guns are often incorrectly called "guild" guns, but are really made "for the trade". By this I mean they were made for other handlers who could then add their own name onto the gun. Most all the makers did this and if it looks like a Sauer, it may be a Sauer. Oftentimes they didn't have a name added; especially if it went to a small shop, instead of a large one like Waffen Frankonia or Ed. Kettner.
Mike