“The Old Sauer” - Help Me Identify It!

[BigUglyMan]

“The Old Sauer” - Help Me Identify It!

So for years my late father referred to “The Old Sauer”, I suppose to differentiate it from his other Sauer, a VIII. The Old Sauer is more of a mystery. As you can see, it’s got a 4 digit serial number, side clips, greener cross bolt, scroll engraving on the barrels, action and forend iron, cocking indicators horn stock accents and a horn trigger guard. The receiver has deep oak-lead scroll. Despite its 30” barrels the gun is quite light and balances about an inch in front of the hinge pin. It also has an automatic safety and auto-selective ejectors.

This gun is a mystery to me. I haven’t been able to find one that looks like it on the internet...every time I see one there are things different about it...cocking indicators in the wrong place, screw location not matching the photos.

He bought the gun for $400 in October 1965 from Mike’s Musket Shop which I assume was either in the Lower Mainland since that’s where Dad lives in those days and likely where he purchased most of his guns.

Any ideas? Other than “get out and shoot some birds with it”.

Appreciate any help.

 

[BigUglyMan]

####ing Imgur...I’ll sort this out when I get home later.

 

[nowarningshot]

So for years my late father referred to “The Old Sauer”, I suppose to differentiate it from his other Sauer, a VIII. The Old Sauer is more of a mystery. As you can see, it’s got a 4 digit serial number, side clips, greener cross bolt, scroll engraving on the barrels, action and forend iron, cocking indicators horn stock accents and a horn trigger guard. The receiver has deep oak-lead scroll. Despite its 30” barrels the gun is quite light and balances about an inch in front of the hinge pin. It also has an automatic safety and auto-selective ejectors.

This gun is a mystery to me. I haven’t been able to find one that looks like it on the internet...every time I see one there are things different about it...cocking indicators in the wrong place, screw location not matching the photos.

He bought the gun for $400 in October 1965 from Mike’s Musket Shop which I assume was either in the Lower Mainland since that’s where Dad lives in those days and likely where he purchased most of his guns.

Any ideas? Other than “get out and shoot some birds with it”.

Appreciate any help.

I just did a bunch of Google Fu, and asked price for.a.Sauer 20 Ga now in the EE.

Some sources said Model 8 started____date. Others, owe know, that's were the production ended.

Seems if it has metric chamber designation, it was for European market. If it says made in West Germany, that factory was started by a Sauer cousin/nephew after the original factory became on the East German side post 45. East German Sauers seem to be described as a cross between Baikal and the old German craftsmanship.

On my Sauer, the manufacture date is stamped on the barrels, 4 63, or April 1963. It seems the more fancy lower end Sauers were Model 8, field grade was the Model 60 ( which seems to be mine). This model, with imperial designation chambers seem to be intended for the US market, and are lower grade, designated Kim model. All German shotguns of this era seem as clear as mud. Lots of arguments on old forums.

If your shotgun has cocking indicators, it seems it would be a model higher than the Model 60/8, probably a grade between these and the Royal, which is the model that goes for stupid money on gunbroker.

All of this is google. Some knowledgeable shotgun guys should be able to correct me.

 

[canvasback]

So for years my late father referred to “The Old Sauer”, I suppose to differentiate it from his other Sauer, a VIII. The Old Sauer is more of a mystery. As you can see, it’s got a 4 digit serial number, side clips, greener cross bolt, scroll engraving on the barrels, action and forend iron, cocking indicators horn stock accents and a horn trigger guard. The receiver has deep oak-lead scroll. Despite its 30” barrels the gun is quite light and balances about an inch in front of the hinge pin. It also has an automatic safety and auto-selective ejectors.

This gun is a mystery to me. I haven’t been able to find one that looks like it on the internet...every time I see one there are things different about it...cocking indicators in the wrong place, screw location not matching the photos.

He bought the gun for $400 in October 1965 from Mike’s Musket Shop which I assume was either in the Lower Mainland since that’s where Dad lives in those days and likely where he purchased most of his guns.

Any ideas? Other than “get out and shoot some birds with it”.

Appreciate any help.

I know you are working on it but pics will be a big help.

 

[DOUGLAS D]

That is one dang fine looking double.
Four hundred in 1965 was a pile of cash and that one looks well worth the price.

 

[BigUglyMan]

There we go. Don't know why it wasn't working on my phone, but I'm not surprised.

 

[BigUglyMan]

That is one dang fine looking double.
Four hundred in 1965 was a pile of cash and that one looks well worth the price.

I just punched the numbers into the Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator. I knew it was folding money but I didn't realize how much exactly!

 

[kamlooky]

...............and................?..........................

 

[FLHTCUI]

And.....it’s a mighty fine looking shotgun you have there BUM.
Might fine looking.
Thats all I have got on this Sauer!
Rob

 

[BigUglyMan]

...............and................?..........................

$3098.22 ... Pretty strong for a used gun but he was pretty sharp about quality guns.

And.....it’s a mighty fine looking shotgun you have there BUM.
Might fine looking.
Thats all I have got on this Sauer!
Rob

'Bout the same as I know too!

 

[Deuce-deuce]

It's a beaut... I have nothing useful to add

 

[DOUGLAS D]

Might well be one of a kind.
You have to love the style of a craftsman who syncs the screw heads to a perfect 180 degree alignment.
Checkering is more traditional English style than German but overall great combination of both.
Your Papa had great taste in shotguns.

 

[SuperCub]

That is one dang fine looking double.

Very nice indeed!

 

[IvoB]

Maybe a custom build ?

 

[Anvil109]

Hope this helps, that's a beaut
http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/archives/archive-sauer-j-p/

 

[DOUGLAS D]

Hope this helps, that's a beaut
http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/archives/archive-sauer-j-p/

Excellent link. Thanks for posting that.

 

[FLYBYU44]

Pure junk!, send it to me (I will pm my address) and I will save you the embarrassment of being seen in public (or even the woods) carrying that....Seriously that is one ###y gun and barely looks like it has fired a shot, very lucky you are, I don't know the value, but I wouldn't part with it for under $3500 myself, but like I said I have no idea what it is really worth.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Pure junk!, send it to me (I will pm my address) and I will save you the embarrassment of being seen in public (or even the woods) carrying that....Seriously that is one ###y gun and barely looks like it has fired a shot, very lucky you are, I don't know the value, but I wouldn't part with it for under $3500 myself, but like I said I have no idea what it is really worth.

I keep it in the back row of the safe so that no one sees it!

 

[Anvil109]

Excellent link. Thanks for posting that.

Cheers Douglas D

 

[canvasback]

It is a Kerner-Anson action with Sauer 3 Ring serialized 1924 barrels that were proofed in January 1925.

While it has Sauer barrels, I don't think it is actually a Sauer.


EDIT: Forgot to note, Sauer "3 Ring" barrels were high quality barrels made by Sauer from Krupp barstock. Krupp never made sporting arms barrels....just provided the high quality steel. Barrels marked "Krupp" like early Fox guns typically were Belgian (Liege) made. Still don't know why those barrels would be on that action. Corresponding with some friends on the subject.