J.P. Sauer & Sohn W. Germany Model 3000 Lux .30-06 Sprg 12 GA Drilling C&R
SOLD FOR: $3525
LSB#: 230411LH007
Make: J. P. Sauer & Sohn, West Germany
Model: 3000 Lux
Serial Number: G4130
Year of Manufacture: 1969 (GK Date Code)
Caliber: 12 Gauge 2 3/4″ over .30-06 Springfield.
Action Type: Boxlock Drilling With Extractors, Dual Triggers, Cocking Indicators, Tang Mounted Selector, Side Mounted Safety, and Front Set Trigger
Markings: The left shotgun barrel is marked “J. P. SAUER & SOHN GMBH GEGR. 1751 / MADE IN WESTERN GERMANY / 12/30.06 SPRG.”. The right shotgun barrel is marked “KRUPP ~ SPEZIAL LAUFSTAHL”. The undersides of all three barrels are marked “NITRO PROVED”. The underside of the rifle barrel is also marked “FM / 30.06” and “G4130”. The left side of the rifle barrel at the chamber is marked with an “Eagle / N” proof and “GK” and the right side is marked with a circled “SS” logo and “30.06 SPRG.” in an oval. The bottom of the lug on the rifle barrel is marked “7”. The flats on the undersides of the shotgun barrels are marked “12/70 / 2 ¾”” and with an “Eagle / N” proof. The underside of each shotgun barrel is marked “E / V”. The top surface of the forend iron and the top left edge of the frame are marked “G4130”. The underside of the receiver is marked “ORIGINAL / SAUER” with a picture of a man holding a rifle in the center, and with a circled “SS” logo. The frame is richly scroll engraved and has relief game scenes. Th right side of the frame has a deer while the left side has an elk.
Barrel Length: 25″ Two top Shotgun barrels, single lower Rifle barrel.
Choke: Left: Fixed Extra Full, Right: Fixed Full
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed into the top of the barrel rib in a fore-aft slot. The rear sight is a folding leaf sight whose base is dovetailed into the barrel rib. The leaf is folded down flush with the top of the rib, it automatically raises when the rifle barrel is selected. The rear face of the sight is finely stippled to reduce glare and is marked “100”. The rib has quick detach mounts and the rifle comes with a Bushnell 1.5-4×20 Banner II scope that is set in QD rings. The scope has a few scattered little marks through the finish and there is light handling marks. The scope has a graduated post reticle and the glass is clear. The scope rates in about Fine condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece fancy European walnut. The stocks are hand checkered with skip-line checkering with a pistol grip with a black plastic grip cap with white spacer, a cheekpiece, and a black rubber recoil pad. The top of the comb is arched down at the back, which technically makes in a Monte Carlo comb, since the middle of the comb is higher than at the rear, but there is no step, just a gentle arch. There is a sling mount on the belly with its corresponding mount mounted on the bototm of the .30 Cal barrel. The wood has some scattered little nicks, dings, and scratches. Some of the most noticeable marks in the wood are on the forend toward the front and on the belly of the buttstock. There are some draglines and light compressions scattered about. The LOP measures 14 1/2” from the front of the forward trigger and 13 1/2” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The recoil pad has some scattered light wear but no gashes or tears. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Coin
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The rifle bore is bright with sharp rifling. The shotgun bores are bright. No bores have erosion. In my opinion, the bores all score 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 95% of its metal finish. There are a few little nicks and marks through the blued finish, mostly toward the front. There are some scattered little patches of minor discoloration on the chambers. There is standard operational wear. There is some scattered light tarnish on the coin surfaces. There are some light handling marks and operational marks. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. This rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety is on the left side of the wrist and the barrel selector is om the top tang. The front trigger is set by pushing it forward. We did not fire this drilling. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is the previously described scope, a case, and a test target. The clasps are coming off the case.
Our Assessment: The European hunting culture brought out a gun that like no other reflects the ingenuity and the art of gun making at its best: the drilling. The Sauer & Sohn firm was first founded in 1751 in Suhl, Germany and they are the oldest firearms manufacturer still active in Germany. While they are known today for their Sig-Sauer semi-automatic pistols made in collaboration with Swiss Arms AG, they were once well known for their fine European made rifles, shotguns and drillings. This is a J. P. Sauer & Sohn Model 3000 Lux chambered for 12 Gauge and .30-06 Springfield, the European craftsmanship paired with the accessibility of standard American ammo is a match made in heaven! The barrels are blued and the receiver is coin finsih with rich engraving. A distinguishing feature of this gun is its rear sight, which pops-up when the rifled barrel is selected. This drilling is in about Fine overall condition with 95% of its original metal finish remaining. It has wear consistent with a gun which has seen a couple trips to the range, but no major damage. This is a classic drilling, perfectly set up for someone who likes to hunt upland game as well as deer. It will also make a nice addition to a collection of classic German hunting guns or drillings, specifically. The detail on this drilling is amazing, and it’s way too pretty to end-up with a shooter. Some high-end collector is sure to pick this up – if only because it looks so nice and is so well made. However, if you want a single gun you could take into the field and bag whatever you came across from a partridge up to an elk, this would it. Please see our photos and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red
