The Fortuna gunworks was established in Suhl by the Russians after the post WWII division of Germany.
I've read that a number of Sauer executives fled to the west where they re-established themselves in Eckenforde. Hence we have JP Sauers from both sides of the wall.
I assume that not all the craftsmen were as fortunate. I would then guess that it is those craftsmen (that got stuck in E. Germany) that became the men behind the Fortuna guns.
I have a beautiful 12 gauge SxS that is marked JP Sauer on the receiver and has the words Fortuna Fermely / JP Sauer & Sohn Suhl Germany on the rib.
I guess "Fermely" means Firm or Factory?????
My Sauer is quite different from other Sauers in that it has a straight hand/splinter forend stock, no cheekpiece, no cocking indicators. It is also rather light at 6 pound 7 ounces.
I wish I knew how many different "brands" were produced by the Fortuna works and how did they figure out what "brand" was going to be attached to a particular gun.
With so many German gunmaking records destroyed, I guess we may never know.
Dave,
That is a fine looking Sauer! Congrats!!
Bryan
