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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 638
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 638 |
$800 for a Sauer Royal with ejectors? I think you got a great deal! The shotguns made in Suhl Germany, i.e. Sauer, Merkel and Simson are very similar and while not as graceful as a "fine" double but their handling is good. The Suhl guns are however very strong!
For $800 the older Suhl guns have much better workmanship than the new Huglu's which although larger in frame, appear to be of the same design. Maybe its the sling swivels that detract from thier value in the USA market? Ha ha! I sure found the swivels very functional walking back to the truck with a limit of pheasants or when up to my waist in water in a (duck) slough!
I admit that I'm biased because I have 2 Merkel Model 8's and a 47E which are very similar in design to your new Sauer. I had Briley choke tubes installed in one of my M8's and the chambers legnthened to 3". That shotgun has spent many days in the layout blind and sloughs outside of Jamestown ND. Through it I've shot many rounds (through open chokes) of Hevi Shot at waterfowl. While not designed for steel shot it does have the German word for "Special Steel", SPECIAL-GEWEHRLAUFSTAHL, on one right barrel. With the Brileys it has held up very well.
Currently my large gunsafe is full and I'm considering selling a couple shotguns to make room for new ones. My Merkels are however not ever considered for sale. Dollar for dollar they are much, much too good a value!
USMC Retired
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165 |
Greg, that's a very good price. Question however: Is that gun marked "Royal" anywhere? Have never seen a Royal-marked East German (Fortuna) gun. All the Royals I've seen have been West German-made Sauers. But it certainly looks like the same gun.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,337 Likes: 339
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,337 Likes: 339 |
Thanks all, your right Col. I did a little homework on this (as you may know) and as the Rib is marked Fortuna (GDR) it's not a Royal, perhaps the seller was mistaken (sic). I guess some folks like to hype things to sell, you know an eye catcher,
Ayway, thanks all!
All the best!
Greg
Gregory J. Westberg
MSG, USA
Ret
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4 |
Good choke combo. You did well, such guns in equal condition usually sell for about $1100+/-100. Usual names are: Buhag, Simson, Merkel, Wolf,... Similar features, grade = same price range.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,337 Likes: 339
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,337 Likes: 339 |
Hi all, thanks again for the kind comments. While I'm not a huge fan of swivels or cheekpieces, I'm not going to alter this one. I kind of plan on using it for late season pheasants, were the sling may come in very handy when walking the snow covered prairies to and from hunting spots.
I do wonder about the chokes. I'll have to see if that's what they really are. As we all know most of these guns are F/F or tighter. This leads me to ask.............
How are chokes designated on these guns? I know, I plan on patterning it (I always do), but I'd still like to know how the Germans marked their guns. Any help here?
Thanks again!!!
Greg
Gregory J. Westberg
MSG, USA
Ret
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4 |
Try 1oz Brenneke in right and SG in the left barrel. Due to tight bores some of those 'Fritz' pieces make wonderful "ball and shot" guns. 
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165 |
Greg, I just looked at a Commie Merkel. Made in 1974, chokes not marked on it at all.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,076 Likes: 377
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,076 Likes: 377 |
Yeah, BuHag was a state operated conglomerate that sold longarms with components from various makers such as Simson & Schuler for example. Looks like a very good deal for such a robust gun.
Early on from the 1893(law) rules, the German proof law very closely resembled the Enlish version. Choke bored tubes underwent 2 proofs(Article 2) with the diameter being measured at 22cm ahead of the standing breech. I think the definition that resulted in the stamping of the "Crown" over "W"-Wurgebohrung was 0.2mm less than the 22mm in front of the standing breech measurement. All other tubes were measured at the muzzle. Also in Article 7 a longarm that was intented to fire a single slug was proved with a slug 0.2mm less than the diameter at the 22cm ahead of the standing breech measurement. Then 1950, 1961, August 1968 & June 1974 still retained the "all or nothing" "Crown" over "W" mark which noted it was choked, but not degree noted. The only real change in the 1974 rules was that the tubes were proved at least twice with data recorded at 2 different locations. Just guessing, but yours may be before 1974.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 106
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 106 |
Hi Greg,
Wow! What a great price.
I have a Fortuna Sauer that was apparently built for the British or US market. It was made in 1953. It is a BLE with a splinter forend and straight hand stock, sideclips and nice engraving on a case colored receiver. It doesn't have sling swivels, cheekpiece or cocking indicators. It has 28 inch barrels that were choked IM/F. I had them opened to .005 &.015 for grouse and woodcock. It weighs 6 lb's 7 ozs. Quite light for a 12 bore Sauer.
I think that you will be very impressed with the quality of your "new" gun.
Congrats!
Bryan
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