doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Sauer'07,'24. Simson '27. Merkel'30 - on-line cat

Many thanks to Geno for providing the Sauer catalogs. Also thanks to Jeff for his hard work putting together a list of serial numbers/dates. Anyone who has attempted this, knows it is a labor of love without much reward. Also, anyone who has ever researched serial numbers from "documented" US companies, knows there are numberous exceptions to every rule. With German guns this is epecially true; "Never say Never with a German gun!".

I usually find Jeff's work to be correct within a year or two. Given that early Sauer actions were stamped when they were made, not finished or proofed, I think that's pretty darn good. Now that the original Sauer record books have been found in Suhl, perhaps others will publish their own lists. No matter what comes out with more research, proofhouse-dated guns are the best indicator of year and month; keeping in mind there is a time lag in proofing too. For most uses, getting it to witin or year or two is usually good enough. I for one am grateful for that.

Best to all,

C.

The date of a gun could be lots of things.

The date the frame was stamped.

The date the gun was finished

The date the gun was proofed

The date the gun was sold

Probably more dates, too. Keep in mind that most gun companies kept an inventory of completed guns "at the factory" and filled orders for same when the orders came in. Most of these were lower priced "stock" guns, but others could be inventoried , too. Another caveat is having a numbered frame sitting around at the factory until that "special" order came in so it could be used. So if you want a date of a gun from a serial no. list, exactly what date does this give us ? Pictures in catalogs that show a serial no. could be helpful, but only to the extent that one might know the gun was made before the catalog. If the catalog picture is an illustration or drawing, the helpfulness of the date showing is diminished.

Sure Jeff made great work, but DGJ is not available here just like that. I remember I asked here where to get copy, but nobody answered.

Geno...email to me your post address and I will provide copies of my published articles regarding serial numbers for you. (this material is copyrighted) As Clair has noted above, some of the record books have been found in Suhl archives but unfortunatly all(?) of the early Sauer record books are missing. (Or perhaps not yet found) As I understand it, the Sauer books that were found date from the 1920s up until the 1940s or so.

Jeff Stephens

JEFF, have you had an opportunity to compare your research with the newly found Sauer books? There's mention of newly found Sauer books in the latest issue of Der Waffenschmied, I assume that's the same "discovery." If you have not already, will you have such an opportunity?

Geno, you just need to go to:

Doublegun Book Rack

JC

P.S.: Have you ever looked at the bottom of the page?

Jeff, my email address for files
gunsrussia@mail.ru
Thanks in advance.