doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com J. Springer 16ga

Thanks Shane. I've never seen the Crowned D in that location. Delcour DuPont may have been making tradename guns, or at least have been part of the process
https://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20d/a%20delcour%20dupont%20gb.htm

It is a 100% Belgian sideplated A&D Body Action boxlock badged with Springer's name & location. I can't say that it is properly badged without >>Erben<<. So really it is a Belgian Sideplated Boxlock with J. Springer on it...


Some info from a forced translation:

"The company history extends back to the 1830s. At that time, let the gunsmith Mathias Nowotny from Hradec Kralove down in Vienna. In 1836 he was authorized to practice his profession. He quickly became successful and was able to find the shop in the Josefstadt a branch on the vine-im-Eisen-Platz 5 in the 1st District building. In 1856 he shot himself, however, and his widow sold a year later the business to John Springer.
John Springer was from Leutschach in Upper Hungary, and came as an engraver to Vienna. He mastered the art of the arms of the noble metal engraving in fine customers. He also learned the gunsmith and later married Catherine Nowotny, the sister of Mathias Nowotny. Springer worked for 15 years Nowotny, whose confidence he enjoyed. After the death of Nowotny and the takeover of the company, in 1857 he changed the company name to "John Springer, formerly Mathias Nowotny" around.
He specialized in the production of luxury hunting weapons , and won by the quality of the products several medals at exhibitions. The Emperor was one of the regulars and 1872 gave him this title imperial chamber , a higher markup than the Hoflieferantentitel.
John Springer died in 1875 and his widow had to run the company while seven children are concerned. The sons and Gustav Rudolf Springer completed their training as part of the company Brandl�n in Birmingham, later took over the company in 1888 and changed the name to "Johann Springer's Erben. In the same year had the old house on a stick-in-place iron Springer leave as it is for the new Palais Equitable should be demolished.
The brothers Rudolf and Gustav Springer could establish the factory on. The products were awarded the Golden Austrian State Prize and other awards at international exhibitions like the 1908 Grand Prix of Monte Carlo. In the 1930s, Springer was appointed royal purveyors of Monaco.
The kuk Hoflieferantentitel was again awarded 1911th In addition to the emperor and the imperial court as Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Archduchess Maria Theresa, the company had with its customers many noble families, including Liechtenstein , Esterh�zy , Coburg and Orlowski . Business was good and in 1912 the company had one million gold crowns over debts. Springer had his own factory and display at the Joseph Lane 10 in the 8th District and three local sale in Vienna, including the Stock-im-Eisen Platz 5 in under 1 District and Mariahilf. The branch on the 1st District later moved to the address pit 10 around.
The First World War and the collapse of the monarchy brought the company on hard times. During the Second World War the company had to include parts for the V2 weapons manufacturers.
After the second world war were to continue to produce guns. Customers have included Soviet Marshal Konev, General Kaltschenko, allied officers and big-game hunter Ernst twin . In 1949, Johann Springer's daughter Margaret's business. The weapons production had to be finally set in December 1955. The trade in weapons remained a line of business, with industrial customers were like. However, the debt grew and in 1958 had the heiress of the family estate and the factory, sell it to stabilize the finances.
On 1 April 2008, Christian Johann Springer's company of his mother Margaret Weixelbraun. On Kagranerplatz eight branch was extended: it now leads hunting and sporting weapons, military, pistols and reloading products to 370 square feet. The former stores the trench 10 and the Habsburg lane 8 were transferred to the Weihburggasse 27. At 700 square feet on three floors hunting weapons are new or used available. In addition to the traditional segment of arms for hunting and sporting weapons, military, pistols and reloading products, the company is expanding into other areas and has been autumn hunting trips and weapons auctions in 2008."

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

A Love Triangle of Sorts with a suicide w/ a weapon pretty much sums up the beginning.....

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Raimey, thanks for all of the great information. These guns and companies certainly all have a fascinating background story!

One last question... do you concur with Drew that the proof marks indicate a proofing date of 1938? Any thoughts on value? Just basically the same as all the other leige guns... 1500-2500?

My Belgian date code list also agrees with 1938.

Um, Hause is seldom wrong, if ever. But there is just something awry with everything surrounding this longarm & it may just be a point in history & JSE(Joh. Springer's Erben) had to place an order with the mechanics in Liège in an attempt to fill the order of a customer during difficult times. Now Vienna started to experience turmoil in 1933 when parliament was dissolved and it has been said that by early 1934 some has crossed swords over a difference of opinion. Their constitution was suspended and a „Ständestaat“ style ruling was implemented. Then 4 short years later this J. Springer was ordered & about the same time, the „Anschluß Österreichs“ occurred in March where German annexed Austria. So strange things happens when there are major disagreements and swords are crossed and that may go along away in explaining this. As Hause notes, the touchmarks are in stellar form and not worn @ all. Too, those Crown over D's high on the tubes are quite odd.

What type buttplate & does it have a menacing muzzle w/ crosshatching between the tubes?

Yeah, $1200 - $2000 if you can get it.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

There is of course one opinion I would chase & that is of Mr. Felix Neuberger, if indeed he is still with us. I will try to raise him in an effort to obtain some answers.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Too, as a plug to the goings on @ the onset to the 2nd Major Disagreement(WWII) regarding Austria, CZ, Poland there are a couple good flicks playing that demonstrate, and somewhat sugar-coat/make the events palatable/view-able, one is >>One Life<< and another is >>Irena's Vow<< that really make one pause and think, could that happen here in the U.S. of A.?

The mechanics @ Liège were under the thumb of the Germans since pre-WWI but Germany didn't invade the Low Countries until 1940 when Germany was trying to topple France.

Serbus,

Raimey
rse

www.springer-vienna.com
They were very quick to answer my inquiries

I just don't think it will be in their ledger, but I hope I am mistaken. So this smokepole will be judged solely on its own merit - a Delcour DuPont sideplated A&D Boxlock, possibly retailed in Vienna by J. Springer, which might add couple $100 to someone knowledgeable or smitten¿

Serbus,

Raimey
rse