JP Sauer

[bwnshmoi]

I'm a recent addition to THR - Bear with me. I bought a JP Sauer a couple of weeks ago and I don't know what I've got. I done a lot of looking at the various forums since I got it - I still don't know what I have. I do know that it manufacture date was 5/35 and that it is a beautiful gun. I don't know if it has been restored/reworked? The gun appears to have little wear - condition is excellent however, several things make me think I may have been reworked. Specifically, no carry swivel on stock - no butt plate - only engraved wood. It is bored for 2.5 inch ammo/16ga. and the barrels are open. Circle around the number 16 on barrel proof marks indicate this I think. If anyone can help, thanks in advance.
Attached are a few pics that might be helpful.

 

[huntershooter]

Beautiful SXS.
Sounds as though you have quite a bit of information.
Obviously, JP Sauer and Sohn was a German producer. Your gun looks to be a high grade, nickel silver, engraved receiver.
You don't say what the barrel length is, but should be a great upland gun.

 

[bwnshmoi]

Thanks for your comments. The barrel length is 26 inches. That's another thing that is somewhat puzzling to me. Most of the pre-war JP Sauer's were not standard US barrel length. Was hoping to see if anyone knew whether or not Sauer made guns in US standard lengths or if someone had the barrel shortened. The "proofs" on barrel indicate no choke and it has no choke in either barrel. Also, did Sauer ever made shotguns without butt plates?

 

[Shadow 7D]

You've hear it alot... a fine german company with a long history
See it's the Sauer in Sig Sauer...
But they also make drillings and Fine Shotguns under their own label.

http://sauer.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=1&changelang=2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIG_Sauer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauer_&_Sohn

I think they have a contact listed.

 

[waidmann]

Your Sauer appears to be a higher grade than mine, an unaltered Habicht. The 'W' indicates a choked barrel. The circled gauge indicates a 65mm chamber (2 9/16"). Otherwise the marking would be -70 or -76 for 2 3/4 or 3" Yours is proofed in the pre-1939 scheme. You are correct in terms of dating.

Mine, as are most is choked tight, IM or Full, both barrels. The barrels measure 29 1/8" and my gun has a S u. S logo buttplate.

It is uncommon for a German hunting gun to be other that tight or very tight. Most of these guns that do not have recent importer's marks are WWII "bringbacks" and many were altered to one degree or another. A duffelbag length chop job? I would go a step further and ensure this one's chamber was not lengthed, and if it was sufficent barrel thickness remains.