German Eduard Ketttner 8mm 25” Engraved Double Rifle w/Ejectors pre WW2 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,075.00
Make: Eduard Kettner
Model: Double Rifle
Serial Number: 3875
Year of Manufacture: Pre WW2
Caliber: 8×57 JRS
Action Type: Double rifle breech loading, break-open with ejectors.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Eduard Kettner / Koln”. The underside of the barrel has German rifle proof marks. The barrel flat has Belgian proof marks.
Barrel Length: 25” German (Koln) made barrels with Belgian barrel flats.
Sights / Optics: This rifle is mounted with a white dotted blade front sight with a post insert. The rear sight is a fixed v-notch non-adjustable dovetailed to the barrel. It is tapped for a scope mount.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with a semi-pistol grip, a cheekpiece and a soft red soft rubber buttplate. There is a hinged compartment in the belly for four cartridges. There are pretty substantial gouges in the sides of the buttstock . There are light scratches consistent with field use throughout. The LOP measures 14.25″ from the front trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks rate a Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel is blued and the receiver is color case hardened. The screws are highly polished and timed.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is still deep. There is a little erosion in the right barrel. This writer rates them at 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. Most of the receiver has faded and most of the barrel blueing is present. There is just a little corrosion pitting at the chamber end. There is blueing loss at the muzzle. The receiver engraving is still in fine shape. The screw heads show a little tooling but are still quite serviceable. Overall, this rifle rates a Fine condition.
Mechanics: This rifle has double set triggers, which function. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Wooden travel case.
Our Assessment: Eduard Kottner was a German gunmaker in Koln and Suhl from 1884 until World War 2. His family’s involvement seems to date back centuries.
This European-style double rifle seems to carry an old-world elegance about it. It is not hard to imagine it slipping through the Black Forest on a misty morning, in search of the Red Deer. It has a cheekpiece, a Euro-style sling mount, ejectors, and space in the belly for four more rounds. The double trigger is still stylish, and the bespoke engraving adds a nice touch.
It has not been a safe-queen — it shows the marks of the forest. But it carries an air of elegant utility about it still. It was designed to hunt the Red Deer – so its close cousin the elk would be an easy transition for this fine weapon. The 8×57 JRS ammunition is still made by several manufacturers and Norma makes brass for the reloader. Please see our photos. -C.B.
