Guns International #: 101174329

Category - Drilling & Combination Guns - Merkel Drillings

Category
Drilling & Combination Guns
Merkel Drillings

German Drilling 12ga 9.3x72R sidelock by August Schuler

Description:
German Drilling 12ga 9.3x72R sidelock by August Schuler
 
Antique Sidelock German Drilling by master gunmaker August Schuler of Suhl, fully in proof.  Superb German craftsmanship in this drilling with an uncommon 12 gauge side-by-side over 9.3x72R rifle.  Most drillings from this era were made in 16 gauge, so this is a rare opportunity to purchase a big-game drilling with 12 gauge caliber as well.  It also boasts the impressive provenance of four centuries of gunmaking by the Schuler family.

Historical German records indicate the Schuler family was working as gunmakers as far back as 1606.  More recent manufacturing was established by brothers Friedrich and August Schuler, with August taking over the firm in 1850 and making arms under his name, “August Schuler Co. of Suhl.”  This piece was manufactured in the late 19th century under the supervision of his sons Friedrich August and Paulus Oskar.  The firm was later sold to Friedrich’s son Richard in 1914, who continued manufacturing weapons and was one of the premier German craftsmen of the early 20th century, including his launch of the famous Hercules rifles and combination guns in 1909.

This gun is in excellent condition, with border engraved sidelocks retaining some original color hardening, and star-engraved screws on each lock.  Border and script engraving on the floorplate and trigger guard.  The receiver features a bolstered treble-grip action with sideclips, a top tang with shot / ball selector switch with gold-inlaid details, cocking indicators on each side of the locks, Greener-style manual side-safety with gold-inlaid 'S' detail, and double triggers with a set front trigger.  Beaded engraving around the barrels at the breech, and extremely fine waved checkering on the raised game rib.  Matching serial numbers throughout the gun, beginning with number xx182 on the barrels, with descending matching numbers 182 on the action, and 82 on the fore-end.

Barrels are a comfortable length at 27” and have undergone recent re-proof in 2010 with little to no apparent use since then – interiors of the barrels are absolute mirrors with no marks or pitting whatsoever, and virtually no powder marks on the face of the action.  Removable striker discs for both shotgun and rifle.  The matt rib features a blade fore-sight, flip-up open sights, and are fitted with offset bases for claw mounts for a scope.  Maker’s name “AUGUST SCHULER” is engraved on the right barrel, with the company location “SUHL – GERMANY” engraved on the left barrel.  Very responsive handling at a surprising light weight of only 7 pounds 6 ounces.

This is a pre-1898 antique as confirmed by the original German proof marks when it was initially certified for black powder proof circa 1893-1896.  Original antique German proof marks on the barrels and barrel flats feature the following:  Both the shotgun barrels and rifle barrel have a Crowned U representing the “Undersuchung” or “View” mark, which was the final black powder proof annotation and definitive proof mark of guns in their finished state.  The rifle barrel possesses a Crowned G indicating black powder rifled barrel proofing.  There is also a Crowned S on the shotgun barrels, indicating proof of black powder smoothbore barrels.  A crowned eagle is stamped on the rifle barrel and shotgun barrel flats, indicating final black powder proof when combined with the Crowned U.  Barrel flats are also marked with the antique annotation “13/1” (.719) indicating bore diameters when it was originally black powder proof.  It was subsequently marked with a number 12 in a circle confirming gauge on breech loading guns during the 1928 re-proof (see below).

This drilling underwent subsequent re-proofing in April 1928 (“4/28” on the rifle barrel) to bring it in line with contemporary metric measurements and compliance with German proof laws.  These more recent nitro-proof marks include “KmG” over “N 15 gr”, conforming nitro proof for rifled barrels for copper jacketed bullet; KmG = Kupfermantelgeschoss (copper jacketed bullet).  The bottom of the rifle barrel is also stamped with a bore (not groove) diameter in millimeters, with an annotation of “8,9mm” for the 9.3mm cartridges and “72” for the cartridge length.  Just outside of the shotgun barrel flats on the round edge is an additional stamp of an eagle with “Nitro,” affirming proof for contemporary nitro loads.  Barrel flats were also stamped at “70mm” confirming chamber length.

Finally, the gun was most recently re-proofed by the London proof house on 18 May 2010 to confirm safety & compliance with the British proofing system.  Barrel flats are stamped confirming British Nitro Proof (NP) with the London arm dexter in armour holding a scimitar over the letters “NP”.  The gun is therefore confirmed safe to shoot modern nitro shells.  Action locks up tight with absolutely no play by virtue of the treble-grip action which includes a Greener-style crossbolt release.  Final points of the action hardware feature finely checkered thumb releases on the toplever, the safety, and on the shot/ball selector.

The shotgun barrels have 2 & ¾” chambers with extractors for contemporary 2 & ¾ or 70 mm shells, and have chokes of ¾ and full choke.  Nice rifling in the 9.3 x 72R barrel, which is a powerful enough caliber suitable for large North American and other dangerous game, and with ammunition pricing for this classic European round less than many other large calibers.  Shotgun barrel thickness has excellent measurements of .028 and .024 for right and left barrels respectively.

The nicely figured walnut pistol-grip stock with cheek piece has sharp checkering at the hand, and features a dark grain, a horn buttplate, and horn pistol-grip cap, along with a border-engraved ammunition trap for 4 cartridges above the toe.  The stock measures 14 & ¼ inches and has a 14 & 3/4 inch pull.  Sling swivels on the stock and underneath the game rib mounted on the rifle barrel.  Fore-end also has sharp checkering, a border engraved base, and an engraved Deeley latch release.

If you’ve never hunted with a drilling before, they are designed and ideal for driven game hunts, offering the opportunity to hunt larger game such boar or deer with the rifle, as well as small game and wildfowl with 12 gauge options.

Almost no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 125+ year old antique, other than a few light handling marks on the stock and barrels. Overall excellent, beautiful condition, with hand-made quality apparent throughout its manufacture. A fine example of the master craftsmanship in German gun-making. This is a perfect merger of beauty and function without breaking the bank. And a great combination gun with rifle stopping power and shotgun options for almost any game you may encounter. Ready for your next century of shooting!

This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a U.S. military family stationed in the UK, and ship via US Postal Service registered mail at an insured and flat rate of $75 to fully cover insurance costs; usually takes about a week to arrive in the US. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. I am downsizing my collection and hope to find other US enthusiasts of classic European guns to re-home a few of these pieces. Thanks for your interest. Key words: sxs shotgun, side by side, double barrel, triple barrel, 12 gauge, 12 ga, 12g, side lock, 9.3x72R, 9.3 x 72 R, drilling, combo, Germany, German, Merkel, Krieghoff, Sauer, pre-war.
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: August Schuler
Model: Sidelock Drilling
Serial Number: xx182
Caliber Info: 9.3x72R
Chambers: 2 & 3/4
Condition: excellent
Bore Condition: mirror
Barrels: 3x
Barrel Type: sxs over rifle
Action: treble-grip
Triggers: 2x
Gauge Info: 12
Stock: psitol-grip
LOP: 14 & 3/4
Rib: raised game
Finish: color hardening
Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz.
Sights: blade & flip-up
Manufacture Date: antique 1893-1896
Chokes: fixed
Choke Left: 3/4
Choke Right: full
Engraving: border
Proof:Nitro: German & British Nitro Proof
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 24,000
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 28,000