I had forgotten that S,D&G were Krupp Agents and that may go a long way to explain the Sauer-Liege-U.S. of A. sporting weapons triangle, but I think the following sums it up nicely.

"Krupp Steel Barrels - April 2nd, 1902

We are informed by the makers of Krupp steel barrels(for whom we are agents) that they have heard that some manufacturers have been selling guns with steel barrels and representing them as being "Krupp steel." All genuine Krupp steel barrels are marked as follows:

"A" for rifle barrels, marked on the bottom of the barrel guß-stahl (cast steel) Krupp Essen

"B" for shotgun barrels, marked on the bottom of the barrel fluß-stahl (fluid steel) Krupp Essen.

"C" for special steel for either shotgun or rifle barrels marked "Spezial Gewehr Lauf Stahl Fried. Krupp Essen." encircling three interlacing rings on the top of the barrel.

As it is against the law to call steel gun barrels Krupp steel unless they are Krupp steel and stamped as above, we are instructed by the manufacturers to stop the unauthorized use of their name. As it is to the interest of every sportsman who buys a gun with Krupp steel barrels to get what he wants we trust you will publish this in your paper to warn the public.

SCHOVERLING DALY & GALES"

The Italians did not reinvent the wheel on making Krupp tubes, they sourced them from a Krupp outlet and that outlet was Liege/Jupille, the sole authorized Fluß Stahl Krupp Essen. The only source of Krupp Spezial Weapons Grade Steel was Sauer and there are no exceptions. As far as I can tell, Krupp did not make 1 sporting weapon tube and made 0(zero) Spezial Weapons Grade Steel tubes. S,D&G had minimized their footprint post WWI so I wonder who took their place. If Italian sporting weapons are wearing genuine Krupp Steel Tubes, that would had to have originated at a Krupp outlet. We need a maker's ledger.

As a side-note, on March 6th, 1897 "The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper" either performed a test or had a test performed on 3 scattergun tubes, 2 of English variety and 1 delivered by Krupp(says Spezial Stahl but no 3 Ringe), although I have serious reservations they actual made it but subbed the effort to Sauer. Tubes were 12 bore being 18.6 mm in diameter & having a wall thickness of 2.54mm. This is one of the very few instances where the concern Krupp and a sporting weapons tube are associated. Krupp began development of the Spezial Gewehr Lauf Stahl in 1893 and filed a trademark in 1896, I believe.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse