Rick,
You have the story of the Simpson - BSW - Gustloff Werk down pretty well. This is what I can tell from the markings on your gun:
On the barrel flats:
* 16 in circle indicates the nominal gauge as 16 gauge.
* 70mm indicates that the gun is chambered for 70 mm length shells which in the US are known as 2 3/4 inch. This is uncommon on a German gun of this age as by far most were for 65 mm chambers. The 70 mm chambers makes your gun more desirable to American buyers.
* The eagle over N is called a waffenampt acceptance stamp and is a proofmark used during the Nazi era.
* The shield with a pick within is the mark of the Suhl proofhouse.
* 942 is the proof date-September 1942
On the water table:
* 51468-the serial number
* Waffenampt
* Shield with G within; Gustloff maker's stamp
On the barrels:
Fluss Stahl-Krupp Essen; The barrel steel was made at the Krupp steel works in Essen, Germany. Fluss Stahl= fluid steel. The basic level of Krupp barrel steel was Fluss Stahl-Krupp-Witten, Your barrel steel was the next level up. The next level up was marked with three interlocked rings. The best was Prima Kruppscher.
There are some more markings on the underside of the barrels that I can't make out from the pictures. Also to have an idea of the value I would have to see sharp close up pictures of the sides, bottom, and top of the action to evaluate the engraving, condition, and sear arangement as well as presence of cocking indicators.
Roger Bleile
Last edited by C. Roger Bleile; 10/29/12 08:08 PM.
