Karl Wertgarner Austrian Drilling 16 GA/7x57mmR/.22 LR Combination Gun, C&R

SOLD FOR: $6000

LSB#: 210716RH05

Make: Karl Wertgarner

Model: Drilling

Serial Number: The barrel set and receiver are marked “158”, but we believe this to be an assembly number. There is no serial number.

Year of Manufacture: 1942

Caliber/Gauge: 16 Gauge 2 9/16″ Shells, 7x57mmR (Rimmed) and .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Boxlock Drilling With Extractors, External Hammers, Front Single-Set Trigger, and Tang Mounted Selector

Markings: The top of the barrel rib is marked “Karl Wertgarner – Enns – Wels”. Each side of the top barrel (16 ga) is marked “Bohler – Blitz Stahl” with an odd three-arrow/lightning bolt marking. Under the stock-line, the left of the shotgun barrel is marked “KAL. 16/65”, the left of the 7x57R barrel is marked “158.”, the right of the .22 barrel is marked “56/22”. The bottom of the 7x57R barrel is marked “7/57R. g.0.9 M.G.” and “St”. The bottom-right, just above the barrel lug, has two Austrian proof marks and “542” date code. The left shoulder of the receiver is marked “158.”, the right has two Austrian proof marks. The receiver and guard are beautifully engraved with foliate scroll surrounding relief-engraved game scenes. The scroll motif continues on the exposed portions of the forend iron and the barrels at the chambers.

Barrel Length: 23 1/2” (60 CM)

Choke: Full

Weight: 6 lb., 6.5 oz.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in-line dovetailed to a ramped base at the front of the rib. There is a folding rear sight which presents a large “U”-notch or a much smaller “U”-notch, depending on which position it is flipped to. There are bases for quick-detach claw mounts in the top of the rib, but no mounts are included.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, capped semi-pistol pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, serrated horn buttplate, and a sling swivel mounted in the belly (there is another swivel mounted to the bottom of the rifle barrel in front of the forend). Interestingly, due to the shape of the barrel set, the right side of the forend is lower than the left to provide clearance for the .22 LR barrel. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is some finish wear in the grip areas and comb. The checkering is generally well defined. There are not external cracks, but there is a crack on the interior of the forend at the front edge of the iron. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ and 12 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear, some worm-holes, a more notable vertical scratch, and well defined serrations. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 1/2″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The shotgun bore is mostly bright. There is no erosion, but there is some stubborn fouling in the chamber and at the muzzle. The 7x57R bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The .22 LR bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion.

Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with light handling wear on the sides over the forend. The receiver has some areas which have muted, mostly raised areas in the engraved scenes with others still showing good color. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this drilling is in Very Good-plus.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a small lever in the top of the wrist which activates the rimfire barrel. The larger lever on the top tang opens the action. The front trigger can be set by pushing it forward until it clicks. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. We have not fired this drilling. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Combination guns have been a popular “do-all” gun for generations, with some still being produced today. The combination of a shotgun for fowl and a rifle for terrestrial game allows the hunter to become familiar with one gun for all their trips to the field. This example is a particularly interesting one, made by Karl Wertgarner of Austria. It checks a lot of boxes for the drilling collector, being in a less common configuration and being produced during WWII. The gun has three barrels, all chambered for different cartridges. One barrel is chambered for 16 GA shotgun shells, another for the 7x57mm Rimmed cartridge, and a rimfire barrel chambered for .22 Long Rifle. The barrels are also set up in an uncommon configuration, with the shotgun and centerfire rifle barrels superposed and the rimfire barrel on the right side. The selector between the centerfire and rimfire barrels is in the top tang, below and behind the barrel release lever, the front trigger for the rifle barrels is a single-set trigger and the rib has provision for quick-detach claw mounts. The gun is also in quite good condition, especially considering where and when it was made. This will make a great addition to even advanced drilling collections and could be back out in the field taking just about any kind of game you could want. Please see our photos and good luck!

Karl Wertgarner Austrian Drilling 16 GA/7x57mmR/.22 LR Combination Gun, C&R
Karl Wertgarner Austrian Drilling 16 GA/7x57mmR/.22 LR Combination Gun, C&R