1343 EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE J.P. SAUER & SOHN O/U BOXLOCK

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Oct 30 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
LUFTWAFFE TRAINING SHOTGUN WITH PROVENANCE. Cal. 12 GA, 2 5/8". S#: 294185. Bbl. 26 3/4". O/U boxlock shotgun mfg. by J.P. Sauer & Sohn for the Luftwaffe. While the M30 Drilling is more commonly known and associated with the Luftwaffe, the Luftwaffe also purchased a number of O/U shotguns from Merkel, BSW, and J.P. Sauer for training pilots on engaging moving targets via trap shooting. The left side of the bbl. is marked "SPECIAL-GEWEHR-LHUF-/ STAHL", followed by the Krupp logo, and "FRIED. KRUPP. A.G./ ESSEN" towards the breech. Exterior is devoid of any mfg. markings, with the only indication of mfg. by J.P. Sauer being the "SUS" monogram logo on the interior of the receiver and underside of the bbls. Bbls. are additionally marked with assorted German commercial proofs and an "1139" date code. Right side of upper bbl. and buttstock exhibit a large Luftwaffe eagle proof. Rear face of bbl. lug is stamped with a Luftwaffe Eagle/2 (Depot 2) proof. Action screws are engraved with floral motifs. Case color hardened receiver, forend iron, and forearm latch, with blued trigger guard, lever, and bbls. Checkered walnut rnd. knob buttstock and forearm. Underside of buttstock is stamped "F.A.", with "F.A./ OR" stamped on the interior of the forearm. Double triggers and extractors. Solid matte rib with aluminum bead front sight. All serialized parts are matching, with the frame and bbls. matching via the full S#, and with the trigger/action plate and forearm iron matching via "185". LOP: shortened to 13 11/16" over a replacement grooved buttplate. Neutral cast. DAC: 1 5/8". DAH: 2 3/8". Bore Diameter: O: .722, U: .724. Choke Constriction: O: .044 (Full), U: .045 (Full). Minimum Wall Thickness: O: .034, U: .035. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a letter dated "Bonn, 30 May 1988" that reads "Dear Mr. Espy,/ Thank you for your kind letter of 22 April. Please find enclosed the desired photo showing me in my former Luftwaffen-/ uniform during WWII./ Regarding your requests on the over- and under-shot gun of which you sent two photos I only can tell you that those guns were used for trap-shooting only. However, I can't give you any details regarding the manufacturer, or so. Trap-shooting, you must know, was one of the fighter pilots' compulsory exercises.". Also accompanying this example is a signed photo of the individual in their Luftwaffe uniform whom wrote the aforementioned letter. CONDITION: bbls. retain 80% lightly faded blue showing carry and edge wear with small scratches and marks. Underside of lower bbl. exhibits consistent light pitting, a few spots of dark oxidation, and some wear/thinning to gray patina. Action is fading to silver/gray showing small amounts of lightly visible case colors blending with scattered spots of very light pitting. Stock and forearm show light finish and checkering wear with scattered handling marks and small impressions. Left side of forearm has a crack extending from the iron. Toe of stock has a very small crack. Top lever spring is not functioning, top lever must be manually closed. Action cocks and fires properly. Good bright bores, with a few scattered small spots of light pitting. A exceptionally scarce and highly desirable example of a J.P. Sauer & Sohn Luftwaffe training shotgun. (25-4263/MLW/DS). CURIO. $3,000-5,000.