The Sauer gun is perhaps known to every hunter in Russia, which is not surprising. From the very beginning of production, the company tried to put its products on the Soviet market, which in the end it worked out. It is noteworthy, but the weapon was created on the basis of the achievements of world famous gunsmiths, which was reflected in the design features of almost all models.
The Sauer shotgun was originally produced with standard drilling: it had different types of chokes for the left and right barrel, which was liked by both hunters and amateurs. The trunks were distinguished by the accuracy of the battle in 60-65% at full choke and 50-55% at half-pay. Consider the most popular models and get acquainted with their technical characteristics. Let's start with those products that were produced before the First World War.
Model "Stork"
This trigger gun was one of the first to be made on the basis of machines. True, this model has ceased to be produced due to the imperfect design of the locks. But the nodes of this model formed the basis of the following guns, which were equipped with a triple locking system - it was controlled by the upper key. “Stork” is a Sauer 12-gauge gun, as well as 16 and 20 gauges. Walnut wood was used to create the bed, and the weapon itself had a very small weight - about 3 kg. Beautiful external lines were complemented by an ornament in the form of engraving on metal.
The Stork model and its prototypes became the basis for the sporting rifles that were used when shooting at the trench booth, and the trigger fittings and combined rifles with a smooth and rifled barrel also formed the basis for many further models.
"Hawk"
This Sauer smokeless gun was constantly being improved, with changes primarily affecting locks in the block. The first products had a lower locking with a double frame and an upper one in the form of a “doll head”. Then a model was released, which already has a triple locking. An even more advanced gun was created with a complex block, the back of which was in the form of wide double cuts, and the shoulders were equipped with side cheeks.
Already from the 1920s, the Sauer smokeless rifle (12 gauge) was produced with a reduced diameter of the barrel channels, which at the same time corresponded to existing rules. The Hawk model became the base for the rest of the products, in which the trunks were located horizontally, and the Anson-Delay system was used as locks. The trunks were locked on the basis of a triple system, and with the help of an automatic safety lock, only whispered were locked.
Model 15
It is also a gunless weapon, which is distinguished by equipping Dutch-Dutch high-class castle systems. Ornamental engraving of the model is made in the best traditions of the English style. This Sauer shotgun became the prototype of the Model 25A bezkuronny tee. Its distinctive features are the location on the side boards of war springs and whispers and on the lower face - the trigger of a rifled barrel. A bezkurkovy tee based on locks on the side boards was in demand, though it was not cheap. That is why the plant switched to the production of machine-based models. As a result, the new model had a tubeless tee on the trigger mask, and to move the front trigger from one barrel to another, it was enough to move the button on the neck of the box.
War Production Trends
The first modernization of Sauer production took place after the First World War. At this time, German Sauer rifles began to be produced only by machine on machines, which totaled about 2000, the guns themselves were assembled manually. Also, the models were manually refined, after which they were engraved and inlaid with wood or metal.
Due to the global economic crisis and the ensuing war, the plant switched to the production of military products. And only in the summer of 1945, German Sauer rifles began to be produced at the same level. At the same time, experts noted that the quality of the new models was inferior to their pre-war counterparts.
Post-war trends
After the war, the plant focused on marketing products primarily in the United States. Accordingly, the weapon had a vertical arrangement of trunks, including combined doubles. Shotguns were equipped with Kerston locks, Blitz or Perde trigger mechanisms. The horizontal arrangement of the trunks was used in several models that had one or two triggers. In the 60s, the gun created by the Sauer plant began to enter the market under different names, due to the gradual merger of the plant with other cooperations. For example, a hunting carbine was created together with companies from Belgium.
Markings and emblems
German-made shotguns constantly passed mandatory and additional tests, information about which was displayed on the product itself. For example, the number 1 indicates that the gun barrels have previously passed the powder tests, the number 2 indicates that the model passed the powder test after its assembly, the number 3 indicates the caliber of the guns, and so on. Remarkably, the markings were constantly changing.
Inscriptions and company marks are on the barrel, barrel block, butt plate of the rifle butt. They are presented in different forms: "I. P. Sauer and Son ”or“ Sauer ”, letter S. There were some drawings: the first models often depicted a man with a baton, but the most popular were Sauer rifles with 3 rings. The intertwined rings served only as evidence that the models were created from some grades of steel, most often Krupp. Moreover, by the degree of wear and reliability, and by design features, such products did not differ at all from those that were created on the basis of other grades of steel.
Over time, images in the form of three rings and a person with a baton ceased to be used for marking. The Sauer gun (three rings) was replaced by a model in which the marking was a man at the anvil in the German Democratic Republic and a circle with three intertwined letters S in Germany. Now consider the most popular models that were delivered to Russia.
Model 8
This is a model of a double-barreled hunting rifle, which is equipped with box locks, a triple locking system. Barrel length - 71 cm (12 gauge) or 70 cm (16 gauge). The model is supplemented with an automatic fuse, has standard muzzle narrowing of the trunks, on the right it is equipped with a pay-off, on the left - with a full choke. The Sauer 8 shotgun was distinguished by a simple finish; a colored tracing-paper of the box surface could be used as a decor. The bed is made of wood (walnut) and has a pistol-neck and a papillary protrusion. This model began to be delivered to the Russian market the very first. It was distinguished by reliable operation, but gradually the plant offered more modified products.
Models 47, 47E, 47S, and 47ST
The Sauer hunting rifle is a double-barreled model also with a triple locking system. Trunks are designed for 12 and 16 gauge. There is an automatic fuse, improved finish. Model 47E is equipped with an ejector, as well as an improved pin device.
47S is a shotgun that has a mechanism for ejecting spent cartridges, complemented by locks on the side boards, while the mainsprings are located at the rear. The locking system is triple, caliber - 12th or 16th. This Sauer hunting rifle has an elegant ornamental engraving, and solid walnut wood was used to create the lodge. The model is supplemented by a pistol neck and a podshchebny ledge. The main difference between this type of weapon in locks that are mounted on metal boards. This has a positive effect on improving the operational properties of the product.
The sporty version of the 47 model is the 47ST. It was created on the basis of special gun steel and is designed for barrels of caliber 12, 16 and 20. The Sauer gun (16 gauge) has the following features: the front stock is activated by a spool with a contact button, equipped with a throwing-out lock that ejects the shot cartridges when opening the gun. The quenching is made on the basis of marble dust, in addition, this piece model is decorated with a patterned tree, which gives it solidity and a fashionable look.
Model 29 E and 29S
This sports gun has a mechanism that ejects sleeves, designed for shooting on a trench stand. The Sauer 29E shotgun is equipped with box locks, a triple barrel locking system, caliber - only 12, a non-automatic fuse. The sides of the box are supplemented with a pin pointer for cocking the hammers. By special order, this model was delivered with an expensive box engraving of a box, and a dove was depicted on the aiming bar.
In fact, we have before us the traditional Sauer rifle (three rings), which is complemented by a thorough finish and has undergone some changes: it is equipped with an ejector, designed only for 12 gauges, 760 mm barrels have strong chokes, an English box. On request, execution is possible with a rich decor in the form of a carving of a lodge, as well as with an artistic engraved block and chasing in the form of images of birds and animals.
The 29S is a special sports shotgun: it belongs to the highest class products and is designed for use on a trench stand. The locks are located on the side boards, the trunks are locked with a Perde double-entry bar, which is combined with a top quality and reliable mount. The model works with 12 gauge cartridges. For special orders, the gun created by the Sauer plant could be supplemented by drawings of various subjects.
Carbines "Sauer"
This German factory offered customers from all over the world not only hunting and sporting guns, but also carbines. They are presented in several series. Carbines "Sauer 202" are presented in several modifications and attract attention with excellent quality, reliable operation. Shooting from these carbines is based on different cartridges, which are enough for different types of hunting - from moose to rhino. The model is distinguished by the location of the rear sight, which is as close as possible to the front sight, therefore it will not harm the eyes of the hunter. Sauer models created by Sauer require careful attention to their care: moisture is not allowed in the weapon. It is noteworthy, but this carbine has a modification for lefties.
Design features of this model make it possible to quickly change the trunks. On the other hand, because of the need to remove the trunks, it is often necessary to shoot weapons, which requires time. The successful location in the design of the latch allows you to quickly change the store, and this is an undoubted advantage of this model.
Another popular carbine is the Model 303. It is one of the elite weapons, which is noticeable in its appearance. This is a semi-automatic shotgun with an interesting design and a high level of security. Automatic firing lock is triggered when the shutter is not fully closed, and the external supercharger of the mainspring is absolutely silent in operation. On the receiver you can install powerful optical sights.
Shotgun with bracket 1933
This is another reliable Sauer gun. The photo shows that its main difference is the presence of trunks located one above the other. The weapon was and remains popular because it is made on special machine tools and can be delivered in any equipment in accordance with the requirements of hunters. In this model, close attention is paid to the simple and reliable manufacture of lock elements and their connection, which ensures safe operation.
Each hunter will certainly appreciate the deep laying of the trunks and the thought-out system of the shutter device, which previously could have equipped only expensive and elite models. Thanks to this, the risk of bending from the shutter is reduced if large-caliber cartridges are used. The laying also affects the strengthening of the axial ends of the pusher without weakening the walls of the barrel. All components of the locking mechanism, including the trigger fuse, are located within sight and hold firmly, which serves as a guarantee of safe operation. The bed is durable, made of high quality wood, and reliable wooden walls are formed due to flat trunnions that deeply enter the shutter device.
The barrel is locked by a transverse bolt, which is distinguished by reliability and safety. In this case, the gun can be additionally equipped with a cartridge ejector.
As you can see, each model of the gun produced by the German factory "Zaeur" meets the requirements of hunters and amateurs. And the possibility of adding modifications to individual elements or applying an original decor allows everyone to become the owner of a unique weapon. Unique guns will be a worthy addition to your weapons collection.