Not sure if my pics worked?
Blitz platform with sideclips that wears an early Witten Steel stamp and passed thru the Zella - Mehlis proof facility post 1911. Images of the marks on the underside of the tubeset will net some info. I'll look for the DRP / Patent.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
They worked, and well.
I am no expert on drillings, per se. But, IMO yours is above average in both quality and condition, as compared to those I have seen and worked on. I'm sorry I cannot help you ascertain a value on it, but I am just not current on drilling values.
Stan
Thank you both! I appreciate any information you have. Of course I love the gun but I'm a bit biased. My Grandpa passed before I was old enough to ask much about it. I remember that he said when they liberated the towns, the locals were required to surrender all weapons. He said that all of the officers were allowed to take one piece. He was only a Sergeant but I guess that qualified. He also had a Luger P08 and various Nazi paraphernalia but I only kept this gun. I was young when he passed and didn't appreciate the history of that stuff, only the beauty of the drilling gun.
I just found some more markings. It's one line that runs down between the two barrels on top, just above the steel stamps. It looks to me like it says " K. SRBA, HEIDELBERG - MANNHEIM.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bt2r_iUj0MNtpwhu8qRggkjWycBJhfVQ/view?usp=drivesdkhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1BmuOJ7Exy7vV92AYxw6-69EeqiU1JUo-/view?usp=drivesdk
From 1898 local ad:
Gun factory and gunsmithing shop
Carl Srba, Heidelberg
Factory of 8mm double rifles, combination guns and drillings,
Mod.88 repeating rifles (& etc.)
Hunting guns of all systems.
(& etc.)
From 1903 local ad:
Stalking rifles 8mm 36.- Marks
Double shotguns 16ga 30.- Mk
Drilling guns 140.- Mk
(& etc.)
Carl Srba, Heidelberg,
gunsmith/gunmaker (Büchsenmacher)
P.S.: We had a good discussion of Srba starting January 23, 2011.
With kind regards,
Jani
ift that reads GewehrLauf-- not Gewehr Lau-- Poldi Wittinger Stahl-- your gun has top quality proof steel barrels. Sounds like a fine piece indeed. Many GI's brought back "duffle bagged"ea pons- to get a K98 Mauser Gewehr (rifle) they would saw off a portion of the buttstock, just past the cut-out to retain the sling, and stuff the Mauser in the center, wrapped with articles of clothing. Not too surprised that your Grandfather was a Sgt. he was about to do a G.I. bringback--most Privates weren't that lucky-- and as the old saying goes- "NCO's run the unit"== usually senior NCO's- the officers were there mainly for inspections and parades--I thank your Grandfather in absencia, for his service to America and freedom from tyrany, as I thank and remember my late Father-In-Law, who served in Patton's 3rd. Army--promoted from Corporal to Sgt. after his actions at Bastogne, he pulled two paratroopers pinned down by German mortar fire, received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, after his recovery he was assigned by Patton to interogation of captured Germans- as he was fluent in their language. I am glad to hear that you wish to keep this weapon and honor the service of your Grandfather- RWF
![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63045_886x768.jpg)
François:
I don't see a Poldi connection?
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
Shannon,
As Raimey indicated, if you post clear, readable, photos of the markings underneath the barrels, we can give you much more useful information.
Mike
Looks to have passed thru the Zella-Mehlis Proof facility in August 1912. Chambering could be an 8X57R? There should be additional marks on the frame.
![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63060_1024x1365.jpg)
![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63059_1024x1365.jpg)
12.7 grammes - 196 grains
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
How do I get to the frame?
Sorry this is so piecemeal. I don't know what I'm doing, lol. But I did get it back together! 😁
Should there still be more somewhere?
You are correct- somewhere, back in time, I recalled a Poldi anticorro grade steel- Poldi being the name of the wife of the Witten Stahlwerke-- maybe I am spitballing- but Poldi is sure as heck a sweet name for a lady, no matter the country or language- N'ces Pas mon Ami??? Le Reynard
Just for the tally book, what caliber/ga. is the dang thing?
JR
François:
Karl Wittgenstein's pet name for his wife Leopoldina was >>Poldi<<. Maybe you've crossed the last names of Wittgenstein & Witten my Friend the Fox?
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
The proof mark 7.8 over 57 could fit either 8x57 IR(JR) or it could fit 8x57R/360. It wouldn't be hard to tell the difference. The IR or JR if you prefer is about a 06 head size cartridge with a rim, and the /360 is about a 30-30 head size cartridge with a rim slightly smaller than 30-30.
Mike
Thank you everyone for all of your help. I certainly know a lot more about it and I'm amazed by the knowledge of many of the members here. Could anyone tell me though, what the R. I. P. 318 is about? Every patent number I've seen in other posts is five or six digits it seems like.
![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/63062_1024x768.jpg)
D.R.P.(Deutsche Reich Patent) 318
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
Very nice drilling, Shannon. If only these old guns could talk. You might want to check out germanhuntingguns.com if you haven’t already.
Thank you. I've been scouring everything I can find online. The internet is such a wonderful tool! When I first tried to learn more about it, I ended up having to call our local military arsenal. Even they were unable to tell me much more than it was a drilling gun. These forums are such an amazing resource! Thank you all!