My shotgun is a Model VIII. A better grade of this model was known as the Model 18 a.k.a. the "Masterpiece Shotgun". These were worked up in a seprate part of the factory and craftsmanship takes time, which is probably why the serial numbers and proofing dates vary somewhat from the rest of the herd.
A Model XVIII(18) would not have been based on or made from an VIII(8) as the Model 18, or Meisterwerk, had both upper and lower scears while the Model 8 only had upper overhanging scears. The Model 18 was based on the Model 17, which was based on the Model 14, which was based on the Model 11. Sauer was in the business of turning out hunting longarms and didn't have top master craftsmen sitting idle awaiting the next Masterpiece order. Now there may have been a room where a master craftsman, who also had other duties, viewed the Model 18 to see if it was up to par. Instead like many, many other makers they subcontracted the work to master craftsmen in the area. For example engravers Franz Schilling and Richard Werner were 2 whom Sauer sourced for brilliantly executed engraving. Richard Werner began his stint as an engraver at the Berlin Mint, and had August Heym as one of his apprentices.
When Sauer forged a frame it received a serial number and it held a position in the source stock until an order was placed.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
