JOS. Leuthner Shotgun

[Petrov]

Howdy.
I was directed over here from Gunboards.
Some friends have an old shotgun that’s been in the family since just after the second world war. It was given to one of their relatives who worked in an official capacity during the reconstruction of Germany – his job was to organize a framework for labor unions to operate under. They want to have the gun appraised, but there is only one reputable gun store left in the immediate vicinity so any advice I could get would be appreciated (either value or a place to go to find the information).
It’s an over-under shotgun with two barrels. One of the two barrels has a shotgun barrel on top and what looks like an 8mm rifled barrel on the bottom. The other is a standard double barrel over –under 16 Ga. The receiver has two numbers on it, matching the numbers on the two barrels. The metal around the receiver, and the trigger guard, have many ornate etchings; mostly of forest scenes. The stock, which looks like walnut, has lots of very fine checkering and a raised area around the butt. The barrels themselves are marked JOS. Leuthner Salzburg. The gun was custom made and had the original owner’s initials engraved. Accessories include a leather sling, with no apparent markings, a scope, stamped Hensoldt-Wetzlar Dialytan 4X, and a sort of hard canvas case for it all with straps inside to secure the various components. Again any information would be appreciated. Unfortunately I don't have a picture and don't know how the owners would feel about one being posted, but if there are any definitive details I have missed I could look at it again. A couple folks on Gunboards thought this arm was a "Drilling", but one member said he thought not. Again thanks for any help.

 

[Preacherman]

The barrel set with a shotgun and rifle barrel is definitely a "drilling". However, this sounds like a rather specialized piece of work. It might be worth taking a series of good photographs and sending them to a German expert for evaluation. I rather suspect you're talking a high-dollar gun here: in excellent condition, with all the accessories you describe, I suspect it might even be in the five-figure range. Look after it!

 

[Petrov]

Shotgun

Thanks Preacher - any German experts you would recommend?
I did a little preach'in myself when saw that this set was being stored in a garage cabinet, and neither the wood not the metal had been treated with anything in decades. The originall owner obviously got some use out of it, but I would say it's in very good condition. Some ammo from the period is still there as well, although it is Czech made ammo and not German made.

 

[kudu]

Welcome Petrov,

IIRC a drilling has three or more barrels usually in a combination of rifle shotgun.. This is a combo gun with a rifle barrel over a shotgun barrel. Maybe someone else may have a bit more information on it. If not there is another board called the Doublegun BBS that has a wide range of esoteric gun people at it. Here is a link.

http://www.gunshop.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

 

[Petrov]

Leutner Shotgun

Thanks again.

 

[zippo8]

The combination shot barrel upper/rifle lower is known as a Bockbüchsflinte. You should be able to tell more about it from the proof marks on the underside of the barrels near the lugs. With claw mounts, rings, and scope -- add about a $1000-1500 to what the gun is worth alone. Enjoy!