Va, first off what a lovely piece!! The wood almost appears to have a coat of high gloss poly or varnish on it. Can you tell if that is correct? Most unusual....recoil pad(?) Or is it spaced out to lengthen the pull?
I'll let others vastly better informed than me comment on the maker. An unmarked German firearm from that era could almost be considered common. Many were not and it takes someone like Mike, Raimey, Axel or one of several other guys on this site to sort that out. At this point I don't believe I would consider it rare. I don't believe the serpentine selector is all that rare either as I see them quite frequently on the various auction sites and have one so equipped.
Unless you've done a chamber cast to determine the rifle cartridge and know it to be 9.3 X 72R I believe it is not chambered for that cartridge. If the stampings on the rifle barrel are what I think them to be it is for the 9 X 47R cartridge. About that time in history there was a few cartridges based on the 11.15 X 60R case, shortened to 47mm and necked down. I have a combination gun in 10.5 X 47R and have seen several at 9.5 X 47R and I believe 9 X 47R. My opinion will need to be confirmed, however. It's no different than what was done here in the US with the 30-06, shortening, necking up and down.
Obviously it's a black powder drilling and the Jones underlever is a very strong action. Another member, Diz, has done yeoman's work with "nitro for black" loads for Damascus barrels.
The "bird with its wings spread out" is the German Eagle.
As I said, it is a nice piece and I'll be watching to learn what others will say. I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on the remainder of the stamps.
Last edited by sharps4590; 07/21/15 06:18 PM.
