J.P. Sauer & Sohn W. Germany Model 3000 16 JA 8×57 JRS Drilling, 1961 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,724
LSB#: 240119EE001
Make: J. P. Sauer & Sohn, West Germany
Model: 3000
Serial Number: 331202
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Caliber: 16 Gauge 2 3/4? over 8×57 JRS
Action Type: Boxlock Drilling With Extractors, Dual Triggers, Cocking Indicators, Tang Mounted Selector, Side Mounted Safety, and Front Set Trigger
Barrel Length: 23 3/4? Two top Shotgun barrels, single lower Rifle barrel.
Choke: Left: Fixed Full, Right: Fixed Modified
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 serrated to reduce glare and is marked “100”. The rib is finely serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece hand-checkered walnut. The stocks have a pistol grip with a black plastic grip cap, a cheekpiece, and a serrated black plastic Sauer buttplate. The forend is a splinter forend with a Deeley release. The comb is rounded downward at the rear. There is a sling mount on the belly with its corresponding mount mounted on the bottom of the rifle barrel. There are some scattered nicks, dings, and scratches. There are some scattered compressions. There is a crack on the interior of the forend, not visible when installed. There are some scattered light handling marks. There are some little nicks and minor scrapes to some of the checkering, but it is mostly strong and intact. The LOP measures 14 3/8” from the front of the forward trigger and 13 1/2” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate. The Sauer plate has some scattered little nicks and light scratches. 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 90% of its metal finish. The frame, barrel set, and forend iron are all serial matching. The coin surfaces have some spots of discoloration from previous oxidation. There are some scattered little areas of oil staining and dried oil. There are some scattered little nicks, dings, and scratches in the metal; the most notable are on the left shotgun barrel at the muzzle. There are some scattered scuffs that have lightly thinned the finish. There are a few little spots of frost. There are some light handling marks and operational marks. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. The last digit of the serial number is over stamped on the receiver, barrel set, and forend iron; originally “331201”, now “331202”. This drilling 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 on 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 a leather sling.
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 chambered for 16 Gauge and 8×57 JRS. The European craftsmanship is on full display, the blued barrel set, checkered walnut stocks, coin finsih, and perfect amount of engraving come together for a wonderfully elegant offering from Sauer. 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 90% of its original metal finish remaining. It has wear consistent with a gun which has seen a couple trips to the range, there are some more notable marks at the muzzle-end of the left shotgun barrel. 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
