Old Family Drilling

[dlfishcop]

My dads uncle brought the gun back from Germany during the war. It is 16ga side by side with rifle below. The markings on the rifle are 360. 8x57. What is this? Just an 8x57? It has a name on the rib of the barrels, is this the maker of the gun or the person it was made for? On the barrels it has marked FW Kessler-Suhl, I understand Suhl is where it was made. Is Kessler who made the gun or barrels? It has wildlife scenes carved in the metal work, very intricate detail. It has a cartridge holder on the bottom of the stock. Has a selector for the rifle or shotgun which raises the rear sight. Marked Schr for the shotgun and K for the rifle on the selector. Also has safety selector. Has some other writing on the barrels about Krupp-essen. Anyone know anything about this gun? Value?  I will try to get pictures when I get back to dads to see it. Thanks in advance.

[dougk]

Sounds like an interesting gun.

Pictures make a big difference, especially pictures of the proof marks on the under side of the barrels. 

Based on what you have said:
FW Kessler was the maker in Suhl Germany.
I bet the gun was made in the 20's or 30's
For info on the 8x57 check out this link http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php?topic=128439.0

Does the gun have a scope and or claw mounts?
Do you know if it has been fired? 

The 16 ga are going to be 2 9/16 with full chokes unless someone worked on the gun after in was brought back to the USA.  The modern 2 3/4 shotgun shells will cause problems without the chokes being opens and the chambers being drilled out for the 2 3/4 ammo.  I understand the 2 3/4 shells will fit into the 2 9/16 chambers but the 2 3/4 shells should not be fired from the 2 9/16 chamber.

Also check the underside of the barrels for nn/nn (eg 10/29) which will give the month and year of manufacturer.

Let us know when you get the pictures...

[dlfishcop]

Thanks for the reply Doug. This gun has been in the family for years and nobody really knows much about it. The gun was worked on by a gunsmith in Minn. that replaced a firing pin and also reamed the shotgun chambers to 2 3/4. Not sure if he done anything with the chokes though. What should the diameter of the choke on the 16ga be if bored? How to check, with caliper?  Also would you know what the name on the rib of the barrel would be. Is it the person the gun was made for(owner)?  I also have questions on the rifle, it has marked on the barrel 360.8x57. What does the 360 stand for. Dad said he talked to a smith near NY that knew what it was but cant remember. He said somewhere on the barrel it also says 7.7mm. Pictures would say a thousand words. Ha Ha  Again, Thanks for your help.

[dougk]

I am not that familiar with the 8x57r 360 but I understand it is a necked down British .360 Nitro

[dlfishcop]

Any info Drilling Man? Thanks

[Drilling Man]

  I think for the best answers, you need to show us CLEAR picts of all the writeing and of all the symbols on the flats of the action and bbls...

  DM

[dlfishcop]

Will do when I get back up to Dad's. Hopefully in the next few weeks.