J.P. Sauer SXS 16 Ga – 1944 WARTIME, 99% FACTORY MINT

J.P. Sauer & Sohn have been makers of fine firearms for nearly 3 centuries, producing some of the most ornate and well-engineered shotguns ever made.  Post WWII with the Soviet Union controlling Suhl Germany, the company was amalgamated with several other East German gunmakers that produced J.P. Sauer guns often labeled in tandem with the original maker and the newer entity.  This beautiful J.P. Sauer, sn343938 proofed in 1944, is in very high, FACTORY ORIGINAL CONDITION INCLUDING WOOD AND METAL, ALL PARTS ORIGINAL TO THE GUN, UNMOLESTED FOR OVER 80 YEARS.  IT IS THE LAST OF THE J.P. SAUER MADE GUNS BEFORE THE RUSSIAN OCCUPATION.  This was a mid-grade J.P. Sauer’s boxlock action, modeled after the Anson Deeley design with improvements including intercepting sears.  This Sauer is just how you want to find a vintage side x side…99% FACTORY FINISHES ON ALL METAL AND WOOD, nicely figured European walnut stock, perfect screws and wood-to-metal fit, and crisp mechanics.  The gun is a light 6lbs. 7oz. and balanced just ahead of the hinge pin with the highly desirable 30” Krupp Fluid Steel barrels choked M/F that are tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face and are secured with 5 locking mechanisms including double underlug bites, Greener cross bolt, rib extension, and barrel lug through the bottom of action, each preventing the movement of the barrels on the action during the firing sequence.  The barrels have mirror shiny bores, tight ribs, and clear engraving and matting.  PRESENTLY IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND 2 ½” 16GA. SHELLS.  BECAUSE OF THIS, VFI GUNSMITHS HAVE CAREFULLY MEASURED THE BARREL WALL THICKNESS AHEAD OF THE CHAMBER AND HAVE LENGTHENED THE CHAMBERS TO  2 ¾” AND EXTENDED THE FORCING CONES TO 1 ½” TAPERS SO THAT YOU CAN SHOOT MODERN 2 ¾” HEAVY FIELD LOADS THROUGH THIS GUN.  This is a $440 service in our shop.  This J.P. Sauer was built with the European characteristics of the cheek piece and sling swivels, the cheek piece distributing recoil over the cheek for comfortable shooting, and the sling swivels make great sense when hunting the treeless prairies you need both hands for dog handling, eating, or nature’s calling.   VFI stripped the action to the smallest parts, Ultrasonic cleaned and scrubbed all parts to shiny metal, inspected all for integrity and function, lubricated and reassembled, providing a VFI CERTIFIED GUN, a $325 service in our shop.  VFI CERTIFIED GUNS have a 90-day mechanical warranty providing confidence you are buying a fine shotgun that will provide years of service in the field. Having these important services already complete should be very comforting to the new owner of this J.P. Sauer shotgun.  See the detailed specifications in the tables below, examine the photos closely, and you will see an extraordinarily fine German double gun that will be just as deadly in the field as it will on the clays course.  Being a piece of history and proofed marked before the defeat of Germany makes it an interesting collectible that will continue to grow in value while serving you for decades in the field.  She needs nothing but a new owner, a date for the clays course, and many journeys to the uplands!  Affordably priced and a rare find, don’t let this one get away.  Thanks for looking.