Little slow on German guns here, but wow these guns are bringing high prices lately.
Who might have made this one for Ernst Steigleder?
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/tKavxeM.jpg)
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/Udxh3KZ.jpg)
Scroll toward the bottom of the page on provided link for info on this maker.....http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/about-the-makers/gun-makers-dealers-p-t/
I don’t believe he actually made the gun, he just sold it after his name was added but I could be wrong.
Kind of reminded me of Merkel brothers stuff. Thanks for link though most appreciated
Steigleder of Berlin has a lot of respect in mine eyes as he didn't pay for a Royal Appointment & made it on his own. He actually added effort to his wears that he sourced from Bernhard Merkel, Gebrüder Merkel and August Schüler in Suhl. For more pricepoint offerings he sourced Emil Barthelmes as well as Friedrich Langenhan in Zella-Mehlis. He devised a “Steigleder-Verschluss“ and some sort of Greener variant noted as having 5(five) lockup points or surfaces. This one looks like something JJ Reeb or W. Forester would peddle & I would lean towards Bernhard Merkel?
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
It sold I believe for 2500.00 or so, not to shabby for an extractor gun. I thought I had seen an early Merkel with those arrow head looking carvings before. Action shape looks great also. Thanks
It is the adornment on those bolsters that catches the eyes and raises the price. It was made around 1912-1914?
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
Ah, O. Geyger of Berlin might have been the other maker of which I was thinking:
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=200806&page=1Serbus,
Raimey
rse
With all that said, I would say there was one, maybe two but I have reservations, frame filer that produced the unique Anson & Deeley Body Action with sculpted bolsters.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
I always have admired the Reeb and O.Geyger actions. The Lindner and Sauers as well. I think Delp or Delph was another that had a great shaped action that would compete. Never understood how doublegun lovers could not see how much these guns stand out against the British best guns. Yes I do appreciate W.Richards, Greener, those beautiful Scottish box locks and London side locks but they have nothing on those cats listed above. Nothing! I loved reading Mac’s work but he got it wrong when it came to these German guns.
Sorry about the rant but da*n its like saying Patsy Cline couldn’t sing! Guess I should be ok I have been buying some of these guns pretty cheap thanks to that foolishness.
Raimey, the way the standing breech is filed is the trade mark of Reeb, so this one is for sure made by Reeb.
Marc.
Many thanks Marc and great to see you posting.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
I always have admired the Reeb and O.Geyger actions. The Lindner and Sauers as well. I think Delp or Delph was another that had a great shaped action that would compete. Never understood how doublegun lovers could not see how much these guns stand out against the British best guns......
....... I should be ok I have been buying some of these guns pretty cheap thanks to that foolishness.
And I'll let you in on another little secret: The Austro-Hungarian / Bohemian wares are gems too, along with some of the French. Most are >>in the white<< platforms sourced from the most talented mechanics of Liège. Many times a longarm with an odd, unknown name with Belgian marks passes as a lower rung price point offering / JABC, when in fact it is a gem.
British Best shoot a firecracker load and need to be tweaked or are recommended to have maintenance every year whilst a Bohemian Best can go a Century with a healthy digest of cartridges.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
Back to Ernst Steigleder, he was the son of tube maker Karl Friedrich Steigleder. And Ernst on his walkabout passed thru the Sauer & Sohn concern before landing up @ Gustav Genschow.
Ernst Emil Steigleder acquired the H. Götz & Compagnie concern so there was some maker triangle relationship between H. Goetz, Sauer & Ernst Emil Steigleder / früher H. Götz. And I believe Franz Steigleder of Suhl was the sohn of Ernst Emil and he make a proper go @ weapons.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
I looked back & reviewed my notes on O. Geyger and Dr. Karsten Eden of Germany, now Chief Geologist of Alaska I think?, has penned a couple of O. Geyger artikles in DGS & Single Shot Journal, notes that O. Geyger, as well as Ludwig Schiwy of Berlin-Diana Klub Member, sourced the bulk of their wares from Merco & Bemesu. And I would hedge my bets w/ BeMeSu.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
Again, Ernst Emil Steigleder is a favourite of mine & I would snatch up any of his examples if possible. ¿M-4 I assume you are reading this??????
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
No, seems that Franz August Steigleder was the older brother of Ernst Emil.
Serbus,
Raimey
rse
I suggest the owner of this gun examine the breech face closely for markings, including inside the cutout for the doll's head. Sometimes the actual maker would place a mark in an inconspicuous location, but for sure not always. It might help.
Mike
Does that gun (the OP) have 31" barrels?
I believe Listing was updated to have 30” barrels before it sold.
Thanks JT
I had been looking at a very similar gun that had been consigned to Orvis in Manchester. With 31" barrels. It needed restocking and the repair of the horrendous repair job of a broken trigger guard. Despite my best efforts, after 18 months of being for sale with no offers, the owner would not be reasonable with what he expected to get. It finally disappeared about a year later. Could have been a really nice gun once fixed.
German shotgun barrels (and other continental countries) are measured in cm. Measuring them in inches sometimes gives the false impression that they have been shortened.
Mike