Krieghoff Drillings

[Fixfire]

Walked in to the local high-end shotgun shop this weekend. They received a Krieghoff Drillings as part of a trade chambered in 7 x 57 and 12ga (2.5”). They don’t sell anything vintage and practically paid me to take this gun! Gun is phenomenal with pristine bores, other than handling marks it practically looks unfired.

Looking for any information our members can provide and/or any reference sources - electronic or otherwise (Double Gun Journal?) I could use to research this gun. My Google search provided sparse info.

Looking forward to sourcing some ammo to shoot and/or take to my April/May Safari to play with.

 

[K-man]

Fine looking gun! If for some reason you no longer want it, P.M. me!

 

[Fixfire]

Also, in a practical hunting situations would the 7 x 57 been coupled with game-load shot sizes or something like buckshot etc.? Or no steadfast rule? Thanks!!!

 

[Red Leg]

As I am sure you are aware, 7x57 ammunition probably won't work. It almost certainly needs to be fed 7x57R which is the rimmed version. I am mildly stunned it is a twelve bore. Normally usually most of the time the 7x57R was mated to 16 bore shot barrels. But yours is clearly a factory 2.5" 12 bore. You can find 2.5" shells on the internet, but most 2.5" guns handle 1 or 1 1/8 ounce loads (max for a 2.5" gun) in 2.75 just fine. Occasionally a 2.5 inch gun has such precise chambers that a fired 2.75 shell presses back against the breach face making the gun hard to open.

For the German hunter these were all purpose guns. He managed his revier (lease) rather than hunt a specific animal. If sitting in high seat, he would have a SP in the rifle for roe deer or boar, a load of number four shot in the left barrel for fox, feral cats or martin, and 7.5 or 6 in the right for wood pigeon. On a drive hunt, he was ready for wild boar or partridge by simply throwing a lever.

Somewhere on the gun, probably the flats is a three or four number code that will tell the year of manufacture. For instance, 337 would be March 1937. Without seeing the proof marks, I can't tell if this is a pre or post war gun. Though you can send an email to Krieghoff and they can at least tell you the date range. Somewhere I have a serial number reference for Krieghoff. The eagle over N is the definitive Nitro proof.

The bright action finish is a little unusual. Put a magnet against it. If it doesn't stick then the frame is dural. It is a very strong alloy, but would make a drilling much lighter.

Can you show a picture of the top rib? Many Krieghoff drillings were made to accept a slide on scope mount that was far simpler than claw mounts.

Looks like you have a fantastic drilling.

 

[PerH]

Krieghoff Photo Gallery

The following images were found in Dietrich’s archives and were from Mr. Al Rickli The following image is courtesy of James D. Julia Auctions. The following images are © Joh. Springer’s Erben Handels GmbH, Wien and are courtesy-

www.germanhuntingguns.com

 

[Pondoro]

Perfect calibers for modern use..the action is made of duraluminium (dural).. Krieghoff did this to lighten the weapon....you would think alu is bad but not from a high-end maker like this..dural is a strong alloy..

A very good find this..!

 

[PerH]

Krieghoff Text

The German Gun Collectors Association has a 1920’s Sempert & Krieghoff catalog reprint available for purchase. Click Here to go to thier site and view what they have to offer. The following sales pamphlet for the Sempert & Krieghoff semi automatic rifle is courtesy of our friend Axel Pantermühl...

www.germanhuntingguns.com

 

[PerH]

7x57R is one of the most popular R cartridges today as it has been for decades Prior of all kind of ammo to be found .

 

[Opposite Pole]

Drillings are fun! 7x57R is a great round, a hit from 12/65 will achieve the same result a hit from 12/70 would. A miss from either is still a miss. One thing to check, the fourth picture from the top shows a screw that is not timed. This is unusual for Krieghoff. The screw is not marred so it has not been manhandled but it is odd, might be worth to check it is torqued correctly.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Very nice find. Congrats

 

[Fixfire]

Thank you Red Leg - that’s exactly the kind of information I was looking for. See attached pictures which seems to indicate a Dec. ‘43 production?? Also has an inscribed
309-09-1672 marking?? Rib pictures as well. Spring loaded blade rear sight(?) doesn’t seem to want to stay up. Correct, I could not find any other 7 x 57 with 12ga. All seemed to be 16ga. Thanks again!!

 

[Fixfire]

Drillings are fun! 7x57R is a great round, a hit from 12/65 will achieve the same result a hit from 12/70 would. A miss from either is still a miss. One thing to check, the fourth picture from the top shows a screw that is not timed. This is unusual for Krieghoff. The screw is not marred so it has not been manhandled but it is odd, might be worth to check it is torqued correctly.

I did notice that. All screws are unmolested.

 

[Red Leg]

Better and better.

The rifle sight will normally only go up when you slide the barrel selector forward. That slide on top is not a safety. The safety is on the left side at the head of the stock. The slide is the barrel selector. Move the slide forward and the rifle sight should pop up. Front trigger fires the rifle and the rear trigger fires the left barrel. Move the slide back and you have a double barrel shotgun even the rifle is loaded. Clever people these Teutons.

The rib is indeed set up for the pre-war Krieghoff slide on mounts. If you can find a long straight tube scope, JJ Perodeau could likely build rings that would work. Something like an old Lyman All American 6X might also be long enough to work (they are great largely forgotten scopes). The rings have levers that turn a bar into the two slots on the rib.

And I am confident that the proper size hollow ground screw driver will retime that action screw.

 

[Fixfire]

Wow! Thanks Red Led - one hell of a resource!
Any conformation of build date??
Let me know if in Nashville - I owe you a drink(s)!!

 

[Red Leg]

Wow! Thanks Red Led - one hell of a resource!
Any conformation of build date??
Let me know if in Nashville - I owe you a drink(s)!!

One other little tidbit for you. The "K" and the "S" on the slide stand for "Kuggel" or bullet in English, and "Schrot" or shot in English. Push it forward for rifle and rearward for shot.

 

[steve white]

As I am sure you are aware, 7x57 ammunition probably won't work. It almost certainly needs to be fed 7x57R which is the rimmed version. I am mildly stunned it is a twelve bore. Normally usually most of the time the 7x57R was mated to 16 bore shot barrels. But yours is clearly a factory 2.5" 12 bore. You can find 2.5" shells on the internet, but most 2.5" guns handle 1 or 1 1/8 ounce loads (max for a 2.5" gun) in 2.75 just fine. Occasionally a 2.5 inch gun has such precise chambers that a fired 2.75 shell presses back against the breach face making the gun hard to open.

For the German hunter these were all purpose guns. He managed his revier (lease) rather than hunt a specific animal. If sitting in high seat, he would have a SP in the rifle for roe deer or boar, a load of number four shot in the left barrel for fox, feral cats or martin, and 7.5 or 6 in the right for wood pigeon. On a drive hunt, he was ready for wild boar or partridge by simply throwing a lever.

Somewhere on the gun, probably the flats is a three or four number code that will tell the year of manufacture. For instance, 337 would be March 1937. Without seeing the proof marks, I can't tell if this is a pre or post war gun. Though you can send an email to Krieghoff and they can at least tell you the date range. Somewhere I have a serial number reference for Krieghoff. The eagle over N is the definitive Nitro proof.

The bright action finish is a little unusual. Put a magnet against it. If it doesn't stick then the frame is dural. It is a very strong alloy, but would make a drilling much lighter.

Can you show a picture of the top rib? Many Krieghoff drillings were made to accept a slide on scope mount that was far simpler than claw mounts.

Looks like you have a fantastic drilling.

Can those Krieghoff slide mounts be found at all?

 

[Red Leg]

Can those Krieghoff slide mounts be found at all?

I doubt it. They are rings and crafted to the particular scope. Therefore they tend to stay with a particular scope. This gun was likely "liberated" in '45 as US troops entered Germany. German hunters of the era kept their scopes in separate leather cases. The typical rummaging GI had no idea, and would have never looked for it.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Fixfire: Beautiful drilling, I think that you will be pleased with it.

Looking forward to sourcing some ammo to shoot and/or take to my April/May Safari to play with.

If you are interested in obtaining 2-1/2" shells, they are still being manufactured by RST Classic Shotshell Company which, as you are probably aware, is located in Pennsylvania. Their production has been sporadic over the past three years, but I just checked their website https://www.rstshells.com/store/c/3-12-Gauge.aspx and they have 7/8 oz and 1 oz loads currently in stock. My recommendation is that you order some tonight, as once they're gone it may be several months before they have any more for sale and they do not take backorders. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, just get them on order while they remain available!

Also has an inscribed
309-09-1672 marking??

From what I can see in your photo, that appears to be engraved with an electric pencil. Back in the '60s the public was encouraged to engrave phone numbers or Social Security Numbers on all manner of things (firearms, bicycles, tools, etc.) to assist the police in returning stolen items. Some police departments even had electric pencils to loan out for this. (I guess no one considered the possibility of changing phone numbers or ownership, but that's what the authorities encouraged us to do). Again based on what I can see in the photo, my bet would be that this is the SSN of some former owner.

 

[Fixfire]

Fixfire: Beautiful drilling, I think that you will be pleased with it.


If you are interested in obtaining 2-1/2" shells, they are still being manufactured by RST Classic Shotshell Company which, as you are probably aware, is located in Pennsylvania. Their production has been sporadic over the past three years, but I just checked their website https://www.rstshells.com/store/c/3-12-Gauge.aspx and they have 7/8 oz and 1 oz loads currently in stock. My recommendation is that you order some tonight, as once they're gone it may be several months before they have any more for sale and they do not take backorders. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, just get them on order while they remain available!



From what I can see in your photo, that appears to be engraved with an electric pencil. Back in the '60s the public was encouraged to engrave phone numbers or Social Security Numbers on all manner of things (firearms, bicycles, tools, etc.) to assist the police in returning stolen items. Some police departments even had electric pencils to loan out for this. (I guess no one considered the possibility of changing phone numbers or ownership, but that's what the authorities encouraged us to do). Again based on what I can see in the photo, my bet would be that this is the SSN of some former owner.

I did check RST. I’m on it!! Thanks!!

 

[Excessexpress]

Magnificent find!

7x57R and 12/65 will be lower-pressure varieties of cartridges, especially with 1oz loads or lighter. I would stick with them and enjoy it.

If your local laws allow it, overlapping seasons are no longer a dilemma of what gun to take.