GunsAmerica - Meffert 12 gauge Damascus double - Custom Shotguns

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The Meffert gun was manufactured in Suhl, Thruringer, Germany. The gun is a 12 gauge Damascus double barrel sidelock, with exposed hammers. The barrels have a “horseshoe” pattern. The engraving is “Germanic” with oak leaf and acorn pattern in Gold and Silver; the left sidelock engraving also includes two foxes, a duck, a woodcock, and the engravers ID “INPAAC”. The left side of receiver shows two dogs on point. On the right sidelock there are 3 pheasant and a dog on point. On the right side of receiver there are two Caperaillie (European Turkey Sized Grouse), and the engraver’s name “Nowotny”. Information on M. Nowotny: A 16 Ga. Rifled double barrel percussion with similar lines of circa 1850 is listed in Richard Akehurst’s “Sporting Guns”, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, N.Y.C. 1968. The Nowotny gun has very similar buffalo horn grips. The “rabbit ear” hammers are engraved in oak leaf pattern with the arms damascened in gold. IMPRACT may be goldsmith. Tang engraving is similar to hammer in pattern and damascene. Also a gold damascene numeral “2” on the tang which matches the style of the M. Nowotny mentioned above. Barrels are damascened with alternating pattern of acorn and oak leaf in two colors of gold. Rib at breech has oak leaf and acorn accent with gold numeral “2” above and inscription “IMMAN. MEFFERT in SUHL”. The “2” on the rib does not match the numeral on the tang in style exactly. Trigger guard is engraved and has oval cartouche with crown, five segments with engraved lower band surmounted by a cross, above initials “GA” in intertwined script in gold. The breech release is a splinter underlever of black horn with checkering at the tip. The stock and forend are oil finished Circassian or European walnut; stock checkered and crosshatched from sidelock to below raised cheek rest. Behind the triggerguard is a black horn scrolled grip. The only proof marks are: LS and 3 9 stamped on the underside of the left barrel 3348 on upper face of frame at breech release (under barrels). The absence of German proof marks indicate a date of manufacture was prior to 1891. In response to inquires to the Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Rolf Wirtgen of the Wehrtechnische Studiememmlung Des BWB, advised that the initials on the trigger guard may be those of Gustav Adolph the Fifth of Sweden. The Royal Swedish Armory Twice, at the suggestion of Bengt Hermansson of the Armemuseum in Stockholm, but have not received a reply. The G may be a mark for Gustav Adolph, since both guns were confiscated by U.S. occupying troops at the close of WWII. The previous owner confirmed that in 1944 or 1945 these guns were confiscated in southern Germany somewhere between Baden and Bohemia. Imman(ual) Meffert is listed in Journal-Verlag Schwend Hall GmbvH Schwabisch Hall 1979, volume 2. The Smithsonian Institution was able to find listings for Immanual Meffert active in Suhl in 1846 and between 1870 and 1882. “Novotny” was a gun maker to the Swedish court active in Bohemia about the same period. The G is the mark for Gustav Adolph, since both guns were confiscated by U.S. occupying troops at the close of WW II. The previous owner confirmed that in 1944 or 1945 these guns were confiscated in southern Germany somewhere between Baden and Bohemia. This weapon was number 2 of a garniture, custom made for a member of the royalty. Dr. Wirtgen indicated that the crown was that of a king and in subsequent research, the crown differs slightly, perhaps that of a Crown Prince. Gustav Adolph the Fifth of Sweden was Crown Prince from 1872 to 1907 and married in 1881 to the daughter of Grand Duke Frederick of Baden. The comparative proximity of Suhl to Baden and the link between Baden Sweden since Frederick’s castle at Rastatt on the Rhine was used as a hunting camp and therefore explains the appearance of the gun in that area. See Companion Arm J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl Double Shotgun Ref# 906092074 Please write for details