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Gents, what sort of reputation do the German Simson side by sides made in the 1950s have? Are they junk or serviceable? I've got one in 16ga spotted but am not familiar with the maker and want to hear your thoughts?

Thanks,
DeWayne

In OLD EUROPE of early 1960s they sold for $15+/-5USD equivalents less then Merkel of equal quality. Few moons ago I have seen 47E clone in excellent condition that was PROFESSIONALLY restocked (with original stock included) for lowly sum of $1250.

i had a BSW which, so i learned either from someone on this board or the other one, was the name simson went by during the nazi regime for a few years. i thought it an outstandingly well built gun and didn't see a thing wrong with it from a quality standpoint. it actually struck me as a bargain as the quality and condition level in other makes - particularly US - would have cost a lot more. it was just twin triggers and plain extractors so there was nothing to go wrong really but still it was very well fitted up and finished out. as to those made after the war, i've no idea but i'd not expect them to be junk. someone on this board said once that the germans may have made inexpensive guns but they never made junk (referring specifically in that instance to JABC's).

roger

Roger, I have two of them (post war) and agree with you entirely. They are very well made, metal fit and finish is very good and I would recommend them. I "opened" one to disable the auto safety and found they are really well made. A lot better than similar Spanish guns.

JC(AL)

The quality of these guns is amazing. They hardly ever shoot loose and, while some may question their aesthetics and grace, they are extremely servicable. Alot of time those used heavily in Europe were not taken care of but have somehow held up to the task. A good strip and clean and they seem ready to go for another few decades. I actually have come to like the cheek pieces found on most of them. The sling swivels, well, that's another discussion.

mine didn't have a cheek piece but it did have swivels. w/ 30" bbls it weighed 7.5# even which most people seem to think awfully heavy. i didn't think it felt bad. and it had useable stock dimensions, particularly compared to pre-war US sxs's. have not had one w/ a cheekpiece but i think i could learn to live with it.

roger

My 1936 BSW is a plain gun with minor scroll and cheekpiece and swivels. It was exported to a gunshop in Salonika, Greece with an Armenian name (marked on barrel in French!)and I got it from a retired AF officer who picked it up in Germany (how did that happen?). It has original 2 3/4 chambers and the usual tight chokes but has served me very well as a duck shooter and informal trap gun. Very tight and sturdy. Weighs 6 3/4# with 29+" barrels, which seems fine to me. It has been used carried a lot but not abused at all.

Mine has a non-automatic safety. Is that normal?

Mike: I think most of them (I have had about 7 or 8) do have the auto safety. Depending on what was done to disable it, it may not be a big thing to re-enable it if you want to. PM me and I can walk you through it.

Mike, there is at least another one out here with non-auto safety

Seriously, the two Simsons and the very similar Merkel I have seen
recently all had auto-safeties. I think they are all made that way.

Must confess that mine could be enabled again, but would be rather
complicated. It was simple to disable though.

JC(AL)

Thanks, Gil and JayCee! I don't miss the automatic safety in hunting (since I have an automatic thumb). But I might get in touch to fix it in case I ever decide to sell.