I am starting up a new SxS redo project. J.P. Sauer hammer gun #87003 12b. This is a total project gun. As acquired some years back the stock had been sanded to remove all checkering and leave locks and grip cap proud. Forend wood does not appear to be original and is smooth without checkering. Release fits well and is not proud. Barrels appear to have been cut by +0.5". Right barrel measures +0.727 and left +0.724. This Sauer was produced for Johannes Mitschke in Riga, Latvia. I have added a few photos for identification. My goal is to correct the proud metal by deepening the inletting and cutting new checking in a Sauer pattern of the period. If you have a Sauer hammer gun of this period and could post a couple of photos of the checkering pattern I would appreciate it.

I would date this 1891 - 1912 based on proof stamps and no date code. Also no eagle nitro stamp.

Proofed in the final or assembled state. Interesting Sauer(??) process marks on the tubes forward of the flats. Looks to be script >>A<<s?? I do not believe I have seen them prior. Wears both the Quality & Range Tests stamps.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

looks like a fairly new one...i have same gun, #41500...

Would you be able to post a photo of the checkering pattern on stock and forend? Also does yours have the proof law date code? Thanks.

Purchased off Gunbroker years ago for very little money. It has been sitting in the safe for the past twenty years. Decided to put it back into shooting condition. Good thing I like projects. Take it apart and look what I find...

No less than five splits in the stock head...



Forend wood not original...
I would be interested in purchasing an original forend wood from a parts gun. Drop me a PM should you have one to sell.






A prior owner sanded away all wood to metal fit...



Project gun. I will get it ready for next year woodcock season. Close and seal all splits, refit wood to metal, replace checkering and refinish with a oil/varnish.

Cleaned the wood and started the process of removing oil from stock head. Found split number six in head.

I will be taking this thread over to DIY forum. Thanks.

Post a pic on your # 41500. I would really like to see a comparison as I start to rebuild mine.

Have you considered how deepening the inletting might change the geometry of the action and how the side plates fit the frame?

Your point is very good. I will measure this very carefully and then decide on a course of action. If too much then I will build back along the edge in some manner. For example I will add a horn spacer to the pistol grip rather than trim the grip cap. If you have any ideas I am open to all suggestions.

Any experience with using veneer? I have walnut +0.064 mm thickness that would raise the level to match the metal and allow for sanding to flush. I have not tried veneer before but might try it. Would be blended in and finished to match the stock color.

Thanks.

I haven't used veneer, but I once saw a stock that had been badly battered and heavily sanded that the gunsmith (a guy named Brian Burgin, now retired, who built a small frame custom Martini .22 for me) had wrapped a layer of veneer around the entire stock to bring it up to the correct size and hide the many flaws. It was spectacular and the seam, which ran along the bottom, was almost invisible. With a bit of grain painting at the joint, I'd venture a guess that you could make that addition completely invisible.

Sauer action from the 1890's... Unbelievable quality. Nicely done.

I am nearing completion on this project. Cleaning up the buggered screw heads remains. Hope to have completed for field use by quail season in April. (note, more photos and description over on the DIY forum).

Did you re-cut the chequering youself?

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Yes. This is a project gun and I have completed all the work myself. A delightful little early Sauer weighing 5 - 11. Originally sold in Riga, Latvia. For me well worth saving and putting back in the field.

Any plans for finish?