doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Sauer model...

Hi guys ,I just picked up a lovely little project ,a Sauer and Sohn 16 bore ,it has a round grip and an action styled very much like a Fox (or vice-versa ) I was wondering how one would determine the age and model of this shotgun.

It's my first Sauer and I'm very impressed ,it definitely won't be my last!!!

Age is relatively easy. Take the barrels off, flip them over and look at the barrel flats. There should be three or four small numbers on one of the flats, most likely the right barrel (left, as you look at it inverted). Those will be the month and year it was proofed.

Model is a different thing, and I'll pass on that for the real experts to come in.

Chris, there were several articles in Double Gun Journal on Sauers some years ago. I have the journals and a Model VIII 16 gauge by Sauer and Sohn. If you can post a picture and serial should have answers jiggedy-jig. They're fine guns.

Chris, my Sauer Model VIII Grade 0 serial number is 205,682 according to member Jeff Stephens voluminous research for DGJ articles of summer, autumn, winter issues 2004. Left barrel marked Fluss Stahl and right Krupp Essen. It was among last shotguns before Sauer's WWI production of G98s and MGs. There were no date marks.

"Sauer and Sohn boxlocks were available in a wide range of models and prices from beginning of their manufacture until the 1925 time period of which this article is generally intended to cover. Prices ranged from 'reasonable' for the low-end export Grade 0 (circa 1913) and German domestic Model VIII boxlock guns to 'very expensive' for the highest priced Masterwerk and presentation grades." ---Jeff Stephens, summer DGJ 2004

Pics needed.
Sauer made some sidelocks as well, but their topmost model - the Meisterwerk (Masterpiece) - was a boxlock. But if you had this one, you'd have known it's special

Thanks for all your help fellas ,here's a couple photo's of the Sauer ,I hope they help

Chris, the serial for barrels appears 219071 which according to Jeff Stephens's calculations make it year 1914 "(SD&G imports end)"and the action appears serial number 123457 for year 1906.

It differs from my 1913 Grade 0 in that it does not have a screw above the cocking indicator nor appear to have the crossbolt fastener. There are no letters around my cocking indicator.

Does your safe say Sicher as domestic or Safe for export? A guess is yours is an older grade and model because of subtle difference in engraving although both definitely Plain Janes.

Does yours have sling swivels and cheek pieces which were generally made for the German market? You mentioned Fox earlier. Sauer barrels in the 210 000 range marked L-Krupp Essen were also used by Fox.

Looks like a Model 175 , lower hinged sears, no crossbolt, cocking indicators, the basic Sauer boxlock. Introduced to celebrate Sauer's 175 year in business. Ejectors were available. Date would put it about 1922

Best
Craig

Craig, comparing Newf's gun with mine and Jeff Stephens research re dates of manufacture, an anniversary gun doesn't seem right. My earlier-date Sauer's modest engraving and markings are sharper and more refined.

It doesn't look like what an anniversary gun should be.

On the other hand, from Jeff's winter DGJ 2004 article under Selected Serial Number and Important Dates, page 102, that 1923 serial 222 XXX says "LV&D import--Grade 180." Member Mike Petrov helped Jeff with research.

The 175 was the base model of the three A&D actions that Sauer offered. Your Model 8 was the second action, with the upper sear and Greener cross bolt, and finally the models 11 thru 18 which was the third, with intercepting sears, and Greener cross bolt.
The info and dating comes from Jim Cate's book on J.P.Sauer.

Best,
Craig