Just an hour ago, an awaited and cherished new guest arrived here at home, comfortably expedited from Franconia (no, not Frankonia ;-)):
A Drilling from the incipit of the last century, built possibly after 1912, but likely in the first two decades of the 20th century I would guess; the proof specialists will however be able to date it with more precision. It bears already the more modern calibre designation ("6,3 mm" over "52"), has the standard bullet weight stamped ("K.m.G. 7 gr"), but not the (optional) charge weight.
Mince, elegant, beautifully handling (while some older Drillinge can double as a battle mace), perfectly fitting my build and pointing well, both with the shotgun barrels and with the open rifle sights.
But the most unusual thing, for which I mostly bought it, was its stylish calibre combition: two shotgun barrels in 24 gauge (!) and a rifle barrel in 6,5x52R (the continental brother of the .25-35, with a somewhat milder CIP pressure limit).
All three barrels were nitro proofed in Suhl, but no visible date, nor a ledger ("Beschussbuch") number.
Double under-barrel lugs and Doll's head, locking and cocking activated by a Roux type lever under the trigger guard. Rifled barrel of course with a set trigger.
Quite a beauty, and in this configuration possibly rarer than most Collaths. 😋☺️😂
Carcano
