A rough translation of Fab’s knowledgeable post:
Edouard Sanner was born in the Haut-Rhin in 1859. Upon his arrival in Saint-Etienne, he probably worked for a while at the Manufacture nationale d'armes, before becoming workshop manager for the Clair brothers.
He filed several patents: on May 24, 1902 under No. 163.477 for a "new gun with fixed barrels and a single trigger" and on October 9, 1902 under No. 326.181 for a "new rifle system with fixed barrels". The first addition to this patent was filed on January 21, 1905. One of these gun models is presented as a "fixed barrel gun and removable circular block model 1908".
Edouard Sanner also filed the latest version of his patent in Russia on January 19, 1905, in Belgium on January 21, 1905, in Germany on January 23, 1905 and in England on January 25, 1905.
After being allowed to practice tests of his gun at the Banc d'Epreuve in April 1903, Edouard Sanner obtained a vermeil medal at the Paris New Inventions Exhibition in 1903 and the Gold Medal of the Escoffier Prize in 1904. He joined forces for the production of his weapons and installed the workshop at 41 rue des Francs-Maçons in Saint-Etienne.
The cylinder head blocks, first forged at the Forges Stéphanoises, were then ordered at the Forges et Aciéries de Firminy. Several variants of this gun exist since Sanner will not stop bringing improvements to it.
The number of guns produced until 1910, when production was abandoned, was estimated to be 500 copies.
His sons, Jean and Jacques, partners in a small general mechanics business installed at 29 rue des Armuriers, tried to relaunch the manufacture of this rifle in 1952. They use the stock of parts and tools still in their possession. They make a hundred simplified Sanner rifle.
I add to this text that the production of this gun ceased in 1910.
In 1911, Sanner emigrated to the United States where he died in 1928 (in Hollywood).
Ted, if I have any information about your request, I will let you know.
Merci’, Fab.
Ted
