Help Identifying German Drilling Combination Shotgun

[Davisc1293]

Ive recently traded some ammo for a 16 gauge drilling combination shotgun. Admittedly I know nothing about older firearms but this peaked my interest and I wanted to get rid of some ammo before the value of it comes back down. Its a 16 gauge SxS with some kind of rifle cartridge in the bottom barrel. Im not really interested in selling but I am curious of the value to see how I did with the trade, and I am also looking for any and all information anybody can extend my way about the shotgun. Particularly the caliber of the lower barrel, estimated time of production, is it capable of firing modern 16ga? and anything else anyone can tell me about it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jim Watson]

The Germans have been making drillings for well over 100 years.
If you want a discussion you are going to have to show multiple close clear pictures.
Especially of the proof marks on the bottoms of the barrels and the action flats and the maker's name which may be on the barrel or the top rib.

An older European 16 gauge shotgun will be chambered for the 65mm (2 1/2" or 2 9/16") shell. RST makes them, catching them in stock may be a challenge these days.
http://www.rstshells.com

The rifle barrel on a drilling can be difficult to identify, it may require measurement of a chamber cast if the proof marks are not enough description. And there were a lot of choices, many difficult to buy or even to handload.

 

[Davisc1293]

Here are some photos Of the markings i can see

 

[Davisc1293]

The barrel is marked Chr. Hoffacker

 

[Davisc1293]

More marking

 

[Jim Watson]

I can tell
Gunmaker Christopher Hoffacker in Munich, Germany.
Shot barrels (S) were proof tested(U) as required by law ever since 1891, surely before 1939, likely before 1912. The right barrel at least is choked (W). It is about .655" diameter (17/1), a rather "tight" 16 gauge. Chambers are 65mm (2 9/16" for 2 1/2" shells), 70mm would be marked.
http://www.germanhuntingguns.com/about-the-guns/gun-indentification/

Rifle barrel is marked 118.35 which is the gauge measurement of the bore of 8.64mm. Now this was done quickly with a plug gauge and does not correspond to an exact measurement and says nothing about the chamber.
But there were common rounds and a hammer drilling was very often 9.3x72R. This is an old medium game rifle similar in power to US .38-55, not to be confused with the later and much more powerful 9.3x74R.
I found a post that some of these run small and are really 9x72R.
https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=141675

You really need a chamber cast and bore slug measurement before buying ammo, it isn't cheap.
https://www.buffaloarms.com/9-3x72r-loaded-ammunition-193-grain-fnsp-box-of-20-amo9372r
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/4195?

 

[Davisc1293]

Thank You!

Thank you so much for the information and knowledge you were able to provide, that's a huge help. Im sure value like everything else depends on the buyer and condition but do you have a rough idea of its value in todays market?

 

[Jim Watson]

I can't guess a dollar value. ASKING price for a 16x16x9.3 hammer drilling on Gunbroker is $2000 or more but NO bids. There is one currently at $505 but with a long time to run.

 

[DT Guy]

I can't add any info except that that is a gorgeous piece of gun-art.

Larry

 

[Davisc1293]

I appreciate all the info and input I can get. Thank you for the information! It is a very interesting piece that will most likely end up hanging on the wall with my trap doors and sterlingworth. Considering I only traded 400 rounds of match grade .308 that I've had for a few years after selling my only .308 rifle... Ild say Im happy with the trade.

 

[mapsjanhere]

8.64 is way to narrow for a 9.3 mm bullet, typically the lands are .1- .2 mm deep. My guess would be a 9 mm bullet, nearly all German cartridges at the time came with a rimmed version for break-action guns, 9x57R would be my first guess.