doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Quality of pre war German manufacturers vs America

I am very familiar with Lindner made guns, but have recently been looking at pre war Sauers.
Couple of questions- how do the " better" German guns compare in quality with the better American ( let's say shotguns for this discussion) lines?
As far as the basic mechanism, workmanship, fit, finish and materials ( barrels, wood)- NOT including engraving- how do you think the box locks of German design fare against the designs of Fox, Parker, Ithaca, and Smith/ Lefever( semi sidekicks)?
Also- what other quality German makers should I look for besides Sauer, Geyger, Kettner, Simson, Heym, Barella? I know that actions were outsourced to " boutique " makers, and each gun should be judged individually, but for sake of expediency, let's just consider some known makers.
Best regards,
JBP

German guns tend to be very well made, especially pre-war guns. Excellent fit, finish, high quality materials etc. Much better than American guns of a similar grade in my opinion. While I'm an Anglophile through and through when it comes to guns, the Germans made a damn fine product. You can add Triebel and JJ Reeb to your list.

I think every Miller & Val. Greiss gun I've seen has been very good quality. I'm not sure who actually made the guns, but if you see a gun with the name it will probably be worth a look. I've got one of their 16ga ejector guns with 30" barrels and it's a keeper.

Add I. Meffert and Thieme & Schlegelmilch.

Postwar, Meffert was where the communist government of East Germany sent the cranky old craftsmen they deemed politically unreliable but whose skills were such that they still could be put to use. That name was stamped on very high-end stuff.

I believe I have to give the edge to the German makers. Admittedly there is an element of taste regardless of which firearm a person prefers. Taking that into consideration I still believe the pre-war German guns were/are the better made of the two.

I too would give the edge to German/Prussian guns.

I have a Sauer, a Simson, a Thieme & Schlegelmilch, an Emil Kerner, and a couple of "guild guns". The only things they give up to American guns is wood grain, they selected wood for strength, not beauty.

Mr. Patton,
You should add Simson, Sempert & Krieghoff, and Greifelt to your list.