I recently got this Charles Daly (Sauer) drilling. Any help with these proof marks be greatly appreciated. I the serial number is 39885(I am guessing mid to late 1890s). Was sold as 30-30 but if that is same as modern 30/30 there is no neck down case and the chamber looks fairly unform(not a necked down case). This is my second drilling and these are never sold accurately. (Last was suppose to be 20g ended up being a 16g lined to shoot a modern 28g over 11mm Mauser.). This one so far at least the shotgun caliber is correct 12x12. [img]https://postimg.cc/gallery/KFdbT88[/img]

32-40?

Here are some more pictures. Note the funky rear peep site which was added (I guess the original got broken) and the front site replacement. (Can’t expect much better for under $1k). [img]http://[img]https://i.postimg.cc/rD3MzP0c/00-F948-A2-6-EB3-4-FA3-9-F43-018710-B3-A371.jpg[/img] [/img]

Those sights look like retro fits. Can you pleasure us with some images of the marks / stamps on the underside of the tubes?

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Typically a best guess for these gems would be 38-55?

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

If you could show a chamber cast or even "slug" the barrel, we could likely ID the caliber, assuming it is a Daley( they were mostly American calibers).
Mike

[img]http://[img]https://i.postimg.cc/LYYpqDHd/0104-C771-4-A8-E-4-D1-F-A8-AD-DCE6-BC78-AC05.png[/img] [img]https://i.postimg.cc/3yw7h7Vx/F39-B87-C2-F28-A-47-AC-B70-D-9-C754-DB0-EB3-C.png[/img] [/img]

Here is info from a gunsmith about the gun.

Yes the peep site is definitely added but looks pretty old(looks like brass screws). If appears not well placed/centered.

[img][img]https://i.postimg.cc/LYYpqDHd/0104-C771-4-A8-E-4-D1-F-A8-AD-DCE6-BC78-AC05.png[/img] [/img]

The Wildmann / Cavemann w/ a Staff is a Sauer trademark as well as an internal process mark. The Imperial Eagle is also a Sauer internal process mark. All of these marks are Sauer inhouse stamps that pre-date the 1891/1893 German proofmark laws.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

All this worn chicken scratching is Sauer numbers and process marks along with a script >>K<< in a jagged circle which denotes tube work by either a Kelber or Klett. This tube mechanic received compensation by applying this stamp as well as accepted liability if the tube were to fail.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

The Calibre stamp(CAL:.....) near the lower rib is a diameter stamp & was applied by the Belgian mechanic(Liège) that made the pattern welded tubes.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

The script >>L<< on the forend hanger for the pin is more than likely for effort by a Langenhan/Gebrüder Langguth/Luck mechanic. Almost all Sauer offerings wear this script L.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

All of these are Sauer inhouse process marks. Wildmann w/ Staff, S&S over crossed longarms surmounted by a Crown and lowercase scrip g are all seen in tandem, or coupled, on early Sauer offerings.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

We can determine the cartridge the drilling is chambered for, if you provide a chamber cast and "slug" the bore. Neither the serial number and none of the pre- proofmark markings will help in this regard.
Mike

There is a 1901 patent date on the rear site(not the pop up peephole site). Was gonna send it off and get it cleaned up but since it has been on it 120 years I reckon I will let it ride.

Pleasure us w/ an image of that date as I am most curious.


Serbus,

Raimey
rse

I don't think the barrel sight is original to the gun. It looks like an add-on, like the tang sight.

In a gun this old, especially one that has been modified, I would definitely slug the barrel and do a chamber cast, even if I knew the original chambering. It could easily have been rechambered.