Lufftwaffe Drilling On Youtube

Make Room On Your Bookshelf

Time to pay a visit to your local Barnes and Noble as they (at least my local store) have a true gem in the bargain aisle.  Treasures of the NRA National Firearms Museum by Jim Supica, Doug Wicklund and Phillip Schreir is a coffee table book that showcases all the jewels of the NRA collection. 

Considering my latest posts were all regarding airguns I thought it is appropriate to show some of the airguns in the NRA collection.  The most interesting is the Girardoni (often misspelled Girandoni) repeating air rifle, as carried by Lewis and Clark.  Google or youtube this airgun and you'll be impressed with it's ingenuity and history.

Other airguns include President H.W. Bush's Crosman Air rifle.  I recall reading about this gun in one of my father's airgun magazines.  Also contained in the collection is Prince Charles' Omega air rifle.

Theodore Roosevelt's gun collection is well represented including his .405 1895.  There are several other presidental guns from Eisenhower and Kennedy.

The book includes many of publisher Robert E. Petersen's collection which include the last Purdey .600NE ever produced. 

Among the 425 guns donated by the Petersen family is some fascinating odd ball guns like the Hoenig over-under double rifle with a twist action in equally odd .225 caliber round.

As a fan of Teutonic guns, there are several Nazi guns including one of my dream guns, a Luftwaffe survival drilling, a belt buckle gun and Hermann Goering's Merkel.

Obviously this is just a sampling of, the book and museum there are many guns of different eras and styles.  The NRA collection is so diverse and likely to please just about any gun nut, from those interested in ancient guns carried by pilgrims from the Mayflower to modern military guns to everything in between. If you consider yourself a gun enthusiast buy this book or better yet go visit the museums (one in Virgina at the NRA headquarters and the other in Missouri at the Bass Pro flagship store) in person.  I need check out these works of art.  Several of these guns shown on this post and many others can be seen and discussed on NRA museum's youtube page.

The Grand Opening of Pacific Sporting Arms

Today was the grand opening of John Herkowitz's Pacific Sporting Arms.  The old man and I  just got back from the new location just down the road from Perazzi's US showroom.  The store is nice with plenty of room for all the guns John wanted to stock but had no room for at this last location. 

John once told me he would like to carry more rifles but didn't have the space for it until now.  Today he had several from double rifles to repeaters mostly of Teutonic origins (Blaser, Ferlach, Sauer and Kreighoff among others) from 308 to 500NE.  The majority of guns in his old store were more competition and clay based so its nice to see John is now stocking more hunting related guns than before as well.  He had side by sides in stock including several from Grulla, Simson, and Holland and Holland among others.

Like  Jerry and Jim's store Ivory Beads (now closed), this store is a place to hang out a shoot-the-shit with the boys.  It even has a lounge to have a beer or rest your legs.  PSA is now loaded with various fine guns and all the accompaniments that go with them.  I imagine I'll probably be spending a lot of time here as John depletes my savings account. 

Krieghoff Drilling 20x20x30.06

A Fine selection of rifles

The Blaser and Perrazi reps were on hand to answer questions and help sell their guns.  I wanted to talk to the Blaser but since he was helping another customers with a F3 shotgun I had no time to talk rifles with him. 

It looked like an excellent turnout with several people filling out their DROS paperwork.  So I wish John the best of luck as he is a good man and with any luck I'll win the raffle (even though I didn't care for the gun but that's okay if its free).

Free caps to everyone who attended.  I really like the logo on this cap it's much better than their old cap.

Afterwards it was time for lunch and a quick drive to Rosemead for some Islamic Chinese cuisine.  Tripe, green onion bread, hand cut noodles and lamb with green onions.



Anyone Want To Give Me $16K?

Puglisi Gun Emporium of Duluth Minnesota has a very nice example of a JP Sauer WW2 Luftwaffe Survival Drilling. Cost a mere $16K.  Other examples have fetched for far more like this one and this one.  It looks brand spanking new. I highly doubt it was issued. It even has the original case although it appears not to have the original contents such as slugs, buckshot, 9.3x74R ammo, sling, manual, and such. This is probably one of my historical dream rifles.  My father continues to beat himself up, many years ago about 25 years ago, he found one for a steal at around $2000 but did not pull the trigger (of course 25 years ago, $2K was REAL big bucks but nonetheless it was still  a steal).

From the Website:
$ 15,995

This gun has a date code of 3/41 and comes in an original Luftwaffe case.

Stock Number	1161
Make	Sauer, J P
Model	M 30 Luftwaffe Drilling
Action	SxS Shotgun over a Rifle Barrel
Barrel Chamber	2 1/2 in
Barrel Length	25.5
Barrel Chokes	.029 - .034
Barrel Proof	Nitro Proof
Barrel Rib Type	Solid Rib with 100 yd flip up rifle sight
Caliber	9.3x74
Drop At Comb	1 1/2 in
Drop At Heel	2 9/16 in
Gauge	12 ga
Grip	Capped Pistol Grip
Ejectors	Extractor
Finish	Case Colored Receiver
Forend	Checkered Forend
LOP	14 in
Serial Number	334XXX
Shotgun Type	SxS Shotgun over a Rifle Barrel
Stock	Cheek Piece Stock
Trigger	Double Triggers
Type of Butt	Sauer Buttplate
Weight	7 lbs 14 ozs

Ivory Beads To Close April 14th

Jim Thynne and Jerry Kitto, Proprietors

I just learned that Ivory Beads in Covina is closing it's doors.  What a bloody shame.  I never did purchase a gun from them although I did buy a few nick nacks here and there and used them for some gunsmithing services.  I just never found the right gun in my price range there although there were several guns that were out of my price range that I wished I had the money to buy.  For a brief time they had several Darnes that I eyeballed, a prewar Krieghoff drilling that I posted here, a G&H Mauser, among others that I desperately hoped I won the lottery so that I could buy them.  Unfortunately all were out of my price range at the time and still are til this day.

Every time I entered the store, Jim Thynne was always very courteous and helpful.  He was a wealth of information whether it was gunmakers, rifles, shotguns, hunting birds or big game, gunsmithing, he knew his stuff. I enjoyed spending an afternoon there just shooting the shit, talking guns, hunting or anything in between.  Good guys that will be missed in this small fine gun community.  I will always remember walking in and seeing some old timer sitting there in the gunroom smoking a cigar wasting a perfectly good afternoon.  I will always remember Jim offering me one of his brand new Rizzini's off the shelf to go shoot clays for an afternoon, just to try it out - by myself without supervision.  I could have just bolted with the gun!  Or worse committed a crime with it or something.  I have never received that offer from any other gun store ever and I don't really expect to either.  I never did take him up on that offer. I wish them all the best.  I will miss them.  My prays go out to Jim and his family.

From their website:
Announcement: After 10 great years in the vintage gun business Ivory Beads will be closing it's doors! We are planning on our last day to be Saturday, April 14, 2012. Our best wishes and sincere thanks to all of our Wonderful Customers and Friends!

Ivorybeads
672 Shoppers Lane
Covina CA, 91723
626.915.4022
626.915.2771

 

This Luftwaffen Drilling sells for $25K at auction

From the website:

This is a unique example of a World War II Luftwaffe Survival Drilling that was manufactured by J.P. Sauer in 1941. The drilling is complete with the case, accessories and ammunition and is accompanied by the original capture papers dated June 12, 1946, and a history of the drilling by the lieutenant who brought it home as his personal souvenir of WWII. The drilling has two, 28-inch, side-by-side, shotgun barrels and a 9.3x74R under barrel. Barrel selection is controlled by a lever on the upper tang, which automatically raises a 100 meter folding leaf rear sight on the sighting rib. The safety is mounted on the left stock flat. The drilling has double triggers for the shotgun barrels, which act as an adjustable double set-trigger for the rifle barrel. Barrel indicator pins for all three barrels are located on either side of the barrel latch. The barrel group has a raised, matted, sighting rib with express style front sight with nickel-silver bead. Sling swivels are fitted on the under-barrel and the butt. The barrels have a high polish, commercial blue finish and the receiver, trigger guard, triggers, pistol grip cap and sling swivels have a case-hardened finish with vivid case colors. The stock and forearm are European walnut with a low-luster oil finish. The stock has a small oval cheek-piece, black plastic serrated buttplate with the "SS" monogram in relief, case-hardened pistol grip cap with engraved screw and bottom and finely checkered pistol grip. The forearm has fine checkering on either side of the blued and case-hardened barrel latch. The upper and lower tang, trigger guard and forearm catch are decorated with well-executed open scroll engraving. The Sauer "SS" monogram is engraved on the bottom of the receiver. "J.P. SAUER & SOHN, SUHL" is roll-stamped in small letters on both sides of the receiver and on the breech end of both shotgun barrels. The caliber, "9,3 x 74.R" is engraved in an oval panel on the sighting rib. The right side of the stock and the right shotgun barrel are stamped with the large and distinctive Luftwaffe Eagle and Swastika insignia. The Luftwaffe 'Stick Eagle/2' acceptance mark is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug. The tops of both shotgun barrels and the right side of the rifle barrel are roll-stamped with the motto: "KRUPP-LAUFSTAHL" with bullets on either end. The serial number, "336339" is engraved on the tip of the lower receiver tang and stamped on the left receiver rail and the rifle under barrel. The partial serial number "6339" is stamped on the inside of the forearm. All of the visible serial numbers match. The underside of both shotgun barrels are stamped with the gauge "12/65" and the left underside of the rifle barrel is stamped "9,3X74R". "Eagle/N" proof marks are stamped on the bottom of all three barrels and on the right receiver rail. In addition to the capture papers which identify the drilling as "one (1) dbl shot gun w/ accessories"; the drilling is complete with the original manual entitled "Drilling M.30" and the original J.P. Sauer specification sheet dated "27 M. 1941" that lists the drilling by serial number. The drilling is contained in the original Luftwaffe aluminum transit case. The case is painted field gray and the lid is stenciled: "Drilling M30/ Mit Munitions (the balance of the marking is illegible). The case interior has wooden partitions covered with felt padding. The inside of the lid is stenciled with a list of the case contents. The case is complete with: (1) manual, (2) brown pigskin sling with maker's mark on the tip, (3) black cardboard box with four partitions, (4) wooden, jointed, three-piece cleaning rod with wooden handle and brass tip, (5) glass bottle of "Mapox, Wundol" with orange label in the original cellophane wrapper, (5) black fiber shotgun bore brush, (6) wire shotgun bore brush, (7) multi-colored cloth shotgun bore swab, (8) wire rifle bore brush, (9) multi-color cloth rifle bore swab, (10) fiber rifle bore brush, (11) two, ten round, cardboard packets of "RWS" 9.3x74 R rifle cartridges with orange labels, (12) gray, cardboard picture box of 25 "Rottweil Schwarz 12/65" shotguns shells, (13) gray cardboard picture box of 10 "Rottweil Brennekegeschoss" rifles 12 gauge slugs with eight shells and (14) 23, loose, red paper "Lignose" 12 gauge shotgun shells. The drilling is complete with a letter from the consignor, Robert J. Hinchcliffe. The letter states that during WWII he served as a Lieutenant in the 78th Infantry Division which saw action in the Hurtgen Forrest, Battle of the Bulge and the Central; Europe Campaign. When the war ended the 78th Division occupied the American Sector in Berlin. 1LT Hinchcliffe was Aide-de Camp to the commander of the American forces in Berlin, General Josiah T. Dalbey. General Dalbey was billeted in the former home of Hitler's personal physician, Dr. Theodor, Morell. Lieutenant Hinchcliff's letter recounts how this M30 Drilling, in this transit case and packed in cosmoline was discovered buried in the garden and recovered by the lieutenant who retained it as his "personal souvenir of World War II" until it was offered for sale by Rock Island Auction Company. Although Rock Island Auction Company has been fortunate enough to offer other Luftwaffe M.30 Drillings for sale over the years this is the only one of these scarce and very desirable guns that has ever been offered with capture papers and historical provenance. In addition, this is one of the most complete M.30 Luftwaffe Drillings ever offered for sale by Rock Island Auction Co. It retains the very rare sling, all of the original paper work, all of the cleaning equipment and nearly all of the original ammunition that was originally issued with the gun in 1941. Few M.30 Drillings retain all of the cleaning gear and more than a token amount of the original ammunition. In addition to the M.30 Drilling case and accessories, this lot also includes a commercial, pre-WWII, Carl Zeiss telescopic sight that is not for this gun, but was liberated by the same soldier. The scope has a commercial blue finish with fixed mounts, external elevation drum, 3/4-inch objective lens, standard German tapered post and cross-bar reticule and black leather lens covers. BBL: Stock: Gauge: 12/9.3x74 Finish: Grips: Serial Number: 336339 Condition: Gun is excellent plus with 99% plus bright original blue. Case colors are vivid and also 99% plus intact. Stock and forearm are both excellent plus. Case exterior is fair with corroded latches and no handle. Most of the paint is absent. Interior and accessories are all fine.

Japan Emperor Meiji's Drilling

I found this pic on the German Gun Collectors Association website. I did some web seaching and found the following info:

THE FOLLOWING GUN WAS MADE IN MUENCHEN GERMANY IN 1886 AND HAS BEEN UNDER CUSTODY OF THE MINISTER OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AS FAVORITE GUN OF HIS MAJESTY , EMPEROR MEIJI. SINCE THE TERMINATION OF THE GREATER EAST WAR (WWII) THE GUN WAS RELEASED AND LATER TRANSFERED TO EX-COUNT USHIJI KABAYANA AND LATER TO MR. IJETSU MANJIRO.THIS MAGNIFICENT DRILLING WAS LATER TRANSFERED TO AN OFFICER OF THE U.S. ARMY WHERE THE GUN HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY SINCE THEN.WE HAVE ALL RELEVENT DOCUMENTS BOTH IN ENGLISH AND JAPANESE AND PROPER TRANSLATION ETC.PART 1 0F 3,,,,GUN IS SOLD NOW ,,,,,,,,

Amazing Krieghoff Drilling on sale

While I was at Ivory Beads this little prewar gem caught my attention. I'd love to have this one, if only I had $12K to blow. The info from Ivory Beads website:

#5301 - Krieghoff Neptun Drilling - Spectacular Pre-WWII High-Grade Model in Original Near-Mint Condition!, 16/16ga & 8x57 JRS cal.
Look...Priced Reduced! Was $14,995! Breathtakingly beautiful German drilling made in 1937. Barrels marked "Sempert & Krieghoff". Full sidelock action. This gun exudes high-quality European craftsmanship and is the pinnacle of technical gunmaking skill for its time! This gun has seen little use and remains in nearly new and original factory condition overall. Barrels showing 99% original blue. Front sling swivel. Flat rib with rear "Tip-Up" sight. Bores are perfect. 2 5/8" chambers. Action has sculptured sidelocks and elaborate game scene engraving. Sidelever mechanism on left side of trigger guard for cocking rifle barrel and simultaneously raising the rear rifle sight (amazing!). Cocking indicators for 16ga barrels. Sideclips. Exterior lever safety on left side of receiver. Double triggers. Front is "set" trigger and adjustable. Shotshell extractor. Trigger guard is a combination of engraved steel with a carved horn tang extending down to the horn pistol grip cap. Forend and butt stock are from highly-figured and select European Walnut with fine-line hand-checkering. Cheek piece for right handed shooter. Original horn butt plate. Rear sling swivel with attached spring-loaded and engraved cartridge trap for storing four extra rifle rounds. Weighs 7 lbs. 5 oz. A most extraordinary German masterpiece! Call us now at toll-free 888-328-0700 for more information!
Barrel Length 26"
Chokes Full/Full
Length of Pull 13 1/2"
Heel 2 3/4"
Comb. 1 5/8"
Price Price Reduced $11,995.00

I envy the person who ends up with this work of art.

If only I had $20K to blow...

As the bird season is right around the corner, my focus has begun to shift away from fly fishing towards wingshooting and fine guns. While searching through websites of several fine gun stores I found this gem, a Luffwaffe Drilling from JP Sauer. What a beauty! I have always wanted one of these. This one looks brand new. These guns were issued to airmen flying over North Africa as survival guns. This one appears not to have the original box with ammo and instructions but nonetheless this quite a gun.

J.P. Sauer Drilling 12GA/9.3x74R caliber. Rare WWII Luftwaffe drilling in beautiful condition with a few light handling marks. The bores are mint. The screws are still all indexed. A great piece in original unaltered condition. These guns were issued to North Africa bomber crews to be used as survival guns if the plane went down. This one is in pristine condition. $19,950.00

This is what the original box looked like: