Ok, here's one I presented to you all, several years ago. I bought the S x S at the show just preceding the shot show in Vegas maybe 10 years ago. I didn't know what I had for several years because I didn't know about the forum and couldn't find the maker name anywhere. One day I was doing routine maintenance and caught sight of some small lettering between and slightly below the firing pins. Took out the magnifier and ran some black marker over the markings and discovered it was a 16 ga.(knew that) Ernst Schlegelmilch shotgun. He is related (son, brother, uncle, nephew or father) to the much more famous Thieme & Schlegelmilch Co. The reason I bid on the gum was that it has a very nice compact receiver which was more the size of a 20 ga. Reminded me of my cherished Fox 16 ga. AE, which is built on the 20 ga. frame. Does anyone have or seen a Ernst Schlegelmilch before.
Parabola, It was not Ernst Schegelmilch that worked at Spandau, helped set up the Arsenal at Kabul, and developed the "Schegelmilch" action; instead that was Louis Schegelmilch. The extended family Schegelmilch has been involved in making guns in and around Suhl/Zella-Mehilis/ and Spandau for many years and I would guess it still is. During the 1970s and early 80s my friend Alfred (Fred) Schegelmilch was working at the Firm Heym during the week and in my gunsmith friend Walter Grass' shop on the weekends and holidays. I never met Fred's son but heard Walter and Fred talking about him working to become a gunsmith also. Based on his age, I'm guessing he is still involved in making guns and maybe has children also involved. Over the years, I have seen a few Schegelmilch guns advertised, maybe even yours. Because of my friendship, I take note of the name when I see one.
I talked to an elderly man maybe 5 years ago who was the president of the German gun collectors group(don't know the actual name), and he asked for pictures. He told me Ernst had a patent on the locking mechanism of the shotgun and pictures would tell him if mine was the gun the patent referred to. I sent them to him and he confirmed I had the gun in question. He also told me I probably had the only one in the states. I wish I remembered his name, very nice guy but very hard of hearing. Had to practically shout into the phone. That's all I know. It's a light gun, handles well, has nice features and locks up nicely...a keeper. Carl
If the Schlegelmilch longarm of which you are a custodian was made prior to 1933, it just may have been made by mechanic Henrich Ernst Schlegelmilch and he shuffled off the >>Mortal Coil<< in 1933.
Carl, the elderly man you spoke to founded the German Gun Collectors Assn. and has since passed away (what a loss). He also founded the website German hunting guns.com and turned the website and the information over to excellent hands. You might call up the web site, you will likely enjoy it. Mike
There is a very fine Schegelmilch sporting rifle for sale at Down East Antiques & Collectibles, Joe Salter.com. Go to the category Antique Long Arms to Item 36880, Spandau Sporting Rifle No.1, made for Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. Check it out, nice photos. Mike