October
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Who's Online Now
5 members (skeettx, Jeremy Pearce, bigblock, earlyriser, 1 invisible), 434 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums10
Topics39,503
Posts562,168
Members14,587
Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#63635 10/28/07 03:26 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 82
Kraft Offline OP
Sidelock
**
OP Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 82
Hello folks;
Anyone here who can tell me a bit about a "PRIMA" double? Ran across one at a show this morning, and as yet not able to find out much about it. It is a tiny, pettite little thing that looks to be very well made. The stock dimensions and cheek piece look awful, as does the sling swivel on the lower rib. Not a problem, as I would re stock it anyway. In the hands, this thing feels almost like some kind of a minuature or toy. I want it bad for a future project, but don't want to get burned. Condition is very good except for a little roughness in the short chambers. Can find no fault other than that God awful looking stock.
Any information and ball park price range would sure be appriceated. Really only interested in the metal ---- might be able to learn to live with the horn trigger guard. Intend to go take a closer look at it unless one of you boys flag me off. Asking price is 800 bucks and negotiable.
Hoping this find everyone well;
Bill Kraft

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,759
Likes: 461
Sidelock
***
Offline
Sidelock
***

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,759
Likes: 461
Hey Bill-please check the new PictureTrail album 'Kids and Dogs'
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=18177071
Might recognize somebody

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 380
Sidelock
***
Offline
Sidelock
***

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 380
Bill:

Where was the word "PRIMA"? Was it for a barrel type? Hammergun, boxlock?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 721
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 721
Bill,

There are many folks out there who'll appreciate the gun as is with the cheek piece, swivels and horn trigger gaurd. IMO it would be a shame to replace these items and destory the history of the firearm.

Phil

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 82
Kraft Offline OP
Sidelock
**
OP Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 82
Mornin' Raimey;
Thanks for the reply. The "Prima" marks were on the barells, on top of each chamber, with a circle of german writing around each mark. Also several proof marks on the flats. Saw no other markings at the time, although I'm certain there are more. Can give the seller a call, if you think you are on to something.
Thanks again;
Bill Kraft

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
***
Offline
Sidelock
***

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Bill;
I have a German drilling with the mark PRIMA over each chamber. Below that is eagle with the words around it KRUPP ESSEN FlUES STAHL. I have always assumed this PRIMA was the grade of steel used by the Krupp works for the bbls. Unless an exceptional gun, which it doesn't necessarily sound like, I would think a restock job would make this gun not worth while. Would tend to agree it should be left as is if the stock situation is just one of personal aesthetics. Best to buy the kind you like than destroy those someone else would love to find.


Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 380
Sidelock
***
Offline
Sidelock
***

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 380
Bill:

Top of the morning to you. Miller(2-piper) is correct. Other type barrel marks: Special - Gewehr-Lauf Stahl, 3 intertwined rings, Fried, Krupp AG. Essen, Krupp-Laufstahl. Any clues to the maker's identity will more than likely be on the underside of the barrels or barrel flats. Restock would about double the price of the longarm. I'd be glad to give someone a bell.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 82
Kraft Offline OP
Sidelock
**
OP Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 82
Raimey and 2 piper;
Just talked to the guy and he found some more writing on the gun. In the circle around the "prina" mark are the words gewehralus - stahl. He also found a stamping of M.A. Gmeiner and Sohn. Bittenberg. That's it other than many marks on the flats. Said he did some digging on it at one time and came up with nothing more than that is some kind of "guild gun".
You all are correct about keeping it original. I would not alter the metal in any way other than unscrewing the front swivel from it's stud. The original wood and guard will be kept and could be put back at any time. Have re - stocked many, and have the factory stocks for every one.
I really appreciate you folks helping out with this. Also will try to get some pictures if we decide to go ahead and buy it.
Many thanks again;
Bill Kraft
P.S. Don't hold us to the spelling, as"the writing on gun is tiny and in some sort of odd style."

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 380
Sidelock
***
Offline
Sidelock
***

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,083
Likes: 380
Kraft:

If you are doing the work, then it would not matter. But I would venture to guess that the chambers are 65mm. Also, a guess/assume that M.A. Gmeiner & Sohn, Bittenberg, could have been a retailer. A pic of the barrel flats would yield some clues.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Last edited by ellenbr; 10/29/07 10:29 AM.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 15
Sidelock
***
Offline
Sidelock
***

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 15
M.A. Gmeiner & Sohn were gunsmiths in Altenburg, Germany, circa 1860. It would seem that at a later date they changed location.

Regards,
Jani


Link Copied to Clipboard

doublegunshop.com home | Welcome | Sponsors & Advertisers | DoubleGun Rack | Doublegun Book Rack

Order or request info | Other Useful Information

Updated every minute of everyday!


Copyright (c) 1993 - 2024 doublegunshop.com. All rights reserved. doublegunshop.com - Bloomfield, NY 14469. USA These materials are provided by doublegunshop.com as a service to its customers and may be used for informational purposes only. doublegunshop.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in these materials. THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT-ABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. doublegunshop.com further does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these materials. doublegunshop.com shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues or lost profits, which may result from the use of these materials. doublegunshop.com may make changes to these materials, or to the products described therein, at any time without notice. doublegunshop.com makes no commitment to update the information contained herein. This is a public un-moderated forum participate at your own risk.

Note: The posting of Copyrighted material on this forum is prohibited without prior written consent of the Copyright holder. For specifics on Copyright Law and restrictions refer to: http://www.copyright.gov/laws/ - doublegunshop.com will not monitor nor will they be held liable for copyright violations presented on the BBS which is an open and un-moderated public forum.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.0.33-0+deb9u11+hw1 Page Time: 0.153s Queries: 34 (0.121s) Memory: 0.8415 MB (Peak: 1.9018 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2025-10-12 17:29:55 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS