Anyone here hunt with a European Drilling?

Brutus

Brutus

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
117   0   1
Location
West of most places....and in Alberta
I have a Germanic drilling on it's way to me. Although it's not a "normal" drilling.
It's an 'antique' hammer drilling chambered in BP only.
In 10x10x45-70. And I have several 10 gauge all brass hulls (and a loading manual) on thier way from TOW also.
I am kind of looking forward to handling it.
Would like to get a sling that can fit over the barrels and kind of attach to a rear stock boot, as It does not have attachment points for a shoulder sling, in front or rear. Wondering if any shotgun/drilling owners have any sage advise regarding this?
 
I'm surprised that being Germanic it doesn't have sling swivels.

Just a bit of a story as we are talking drillings. A couple of years ago I picked up a real nice Sauer drilling from 1909. Beautiful gun and it's a sidelock instead of boxlock. Nice engraving, Greener style crossbolt, shell holder in the top of the stock, horn trigger guard etc. Only problem is for some reason the lower rifle barrel was removed at some point in time. It was done by an expert though. Surprisingly, it still handles very well as a double barrel sidelock.
 
Last edited:
^Inter-war years the Treaty Of Versailles put pretty strict rules of German citizen firearm ownership. One of them was a big no-no for private citizens to own rifles, with a grudging knod of acceptance for shotguns. Perhaps this is why the Sauer drilling was treated in such a manner? Or, if it fell into UK hands, they have more lenient shotgun regulations versus rifle regulations, still to this day.

maybe........
 
Last edited:
gunsaholic said:
I'm surprised that being Germanic it doesn't have sling swivels.

Just a bit of a story as we are talking drillings. A couple of years ago I picked up a real nice Sauer drilling from 1909. Beautiful gun and it's a sidelock instead of boxlock. Nice engraving, Greener style crossbolt, shell holder in the top of the stock, horn trigger guard etc. Only problem is for some reason the lower rifle barrel was removed at some point in time. It was done by an expert though. Surprisingly, it still handles very well as a double barrel sidelock.
Click to expand...

That's a thoughful point regarding the lack of sling swivels. I wonder if this was a special order requirement from a well healed North American client, that foresaw it being carried more often, in a saddle scabbard with a horse versus slung over the shoulder?
Sling swivels within the confines of a leather boot scabbard is a great impediment for quick use.
 
Brutus said:
^Inter-war years the Treaty Of Versailles put pretty strict rules of German citizen firearm ownership. One of them was a big no-no for private citizens to own rifles, with a grudging knod of acceptance for shotguns. Perhaps this is why the Sauer drilling was treated in such a manner? Or, if it fell into UK hands, they have more lenient shotgun regulations versus rifle regulations, still to this day.

maybe........
Click to expand...

Could very well be. As I have said before, if only these old guns could talk!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Brutus said:
That's a thoughful point regarding the lack of sling swivels. I wonder if this was a special order requirement from a well healed North American client, that foresaw it being carried more often, in a saddle scabbard with a horse versus slung over the shoulder?
Sling swivels within the confines of a leather boot scabbard is a great impediment for quick use.
Click to expand...

Yes, sling swivels would be a pain for use with a scabbard. By chance, there is no indication that the swivels have been removed is there? Of course I'm sure not every European gun had swivels but they sure were common on a lot of German and Belgian guns, especially drillings. Either way, it's a nice looking old gun you have coming.
 
Definitely a high incidence of sling swivels on "Continental" guns. I've often wondered exactly why this is?

The saddle scabbards might partly explain why sling swivels areless common on North American doubles, but me thinks there has to be more it. Fashion? British influence?

And why are sling swivels not common on British double/combo guns? Is it because the British didn't have to carry their own guns?
 
ninepointer said:
Definitely a high incidence of sling swivels on "Continental" guns. I've often wondered exactly why this is?

The saddle scabbards might partly explain why sling swivels areless common on North American doubles, but me thinks there has to be more it. Fashion? British influence?

And why are sling swivels not common on British double/combo guns? Is it because the British didn't have to carry their own guns?[/QUOTE]

Actually, I read somewhere that this indeed was part of the reason. Also, a lot of it had to do with the terrain, the type of hunting being done and the distance walked. A lot of British hunting required the use of a nice, light field gun that had to be at the ready and a lot of it was driven game.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for input and kind words guys. One thing I do know about this combination gun, is that the buttstock was replaced at some point. So, any evidence of a rear swivel is now long gone. But the barrel & forestock show no evidence of a forward swivel just from the pics. Maybe when I actually have it in my hands I'll be able to see more detail. I know it's going to be a beast, but I plan on fielding this gun in the Alberta fall season as upland bird and deer season coincide here. ;)

Cheers!
 
As the stock was replaced, it's quite possible then that the barrel swivel was removed. If it was soldered on, it might be very hard to tell if it was ever there if it was properly removed. But as you said, you'll know better when it's in hand.
 
Drilling is actually German for Triplets. The combo of the barrels is preferred by some German hunters (Jäger) for the High seat.
It's common in 16 gauge and 222.

From what I have been told, it has little to do with the treaty, The rifles were around long before.
Although it would have been a good option during the treaty. (some never cared about the treaty)

They are still common here. a combo over and under is also widely used. Please post some photos.

A option may be to buy some barrel sleeves so you can shoot more modern calibres, I would check with a gunsmith to see if the action will handle it.

Other than the weight, I love them dearly. I may be able to find you info or parts over here in Germany if you are ever looking.

Cheers mate. and Waidmannsheil
 
Thank you very much DWDOWAT...........your kind offer is duly noted.
Any info offered here certainly has more credibility coming from a closer source, such as yourself.

Cheers.......

I do not have it in my possession yet as it is currently in transit from Texas, but this is another pic from the seller;



I seems suitable though, that IF I ever find myself 'hunting' wild boar in Alberta or Saskatchewan, I hope against hope, that this very fitting firearm is in my paws during that time afield.
 
Last edited:
Yes, expensive they are. I thought a few times of sending mine somwehere to see about having it put back to original but I think the cost would be very high for such an undertaking. Below are just a couple of pics.

 
Mount Sweetness said:
always wanted a drilling, keep on looking for that sweet deal but man are they ever expensive!
Click to expand...
You got that so right fellas. The only way this cowboy could afford this certain drilling: a. A hammer drilling b. A hammer drilling that takes BP cartridges

This is the one and only that I can afford to buy for sure.

PS: Nice one gunsaholic!
 
The cheapest drilling in modern calibers is around 3500. It is better to get an over under eg 12 gauge/30-06. Sucks when you are deer hunting with your rifle and you run into a grouse.
 
I kind of like the option of shooting up to two flying thingys and the one single rifle shot for a land critter.
And calibre choice, that's just too personal, but that's just me. ;)

Edit: You got me thinking about models/proces bluesteel221:

Sauer Model 3000 in 12x12x a common North American deer calibre, probably the number one choice on this side of the ocean. Four to five thousand dollar range or thereabouts.
Hammer drilling in 16x16x9.3x72R, most likely the thriftiest choice of all and the most common drillings on the used gun market. Let's just assume that these first two choices are field grade guns, without the extra engravings or such ornate trappings as gold inlays and such?
The odd and very lucky WWII war trophy hierloom brought back by an older surviving war veteran. Rare as gold nuggets these days!
Modern hammerless drilling in 20x20x270, very very expensive, only left in the dust by others in 28x28x22 LR. These ones usually start at $15,000 US with more dollars for the smaller calibres/bores.
Then there is the collector market. The WWII Luftwaffe drilling Model 30 in 12x12x9.3x74R. In very good to excellent condition, they often start at $19,000 US.

eek prices!
 
Last edited:
These beautiful combo guns are now more works of art than field guns ( the craftsmanship is remarkable). I love and use my combo guns but can only dream of stumbling onto one of these old beauties.
 
I have a Boch drilling (barrel configuration) 12x270x22LR made by Josef Just ....Ferlach.....with a quick detachable(claw mount) Hertel & Reuss 2 3/4 x 10 power scope .
Lots of engraving .
Two sling swivels .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom