Immanuel Meffert Drilling 16 GA/6.5x58R Shotgun/Rifle Combo Gun, 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,451.00
WOA#: WY240415EH184
Make: Immanuel Meffert
Model: “Oberland” Drilling
Serial Number: 65926
Year of Manufacture: 1940
Gauge: The shotgun barrels are 16 Gauge. The rifle barrel is 6.5x58mmR.
Action Type: Top Lever Break Opening Boxlock Drilling with Side Safety, Top Barrel Selector, Cocking Indicators, Front Single Set-Trigger
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “IMM” with the remainder covered by the optic mount. The mount is marked “TO TRAVIS R. THOM / FROM GRANDPA THOM”. The top of the rib is marked “Oberland”. The top of the left barrel is marked “SUHL”. & / KRIEGHOFF / SUHL”. The bottom of each barrel has a Krupp marking, the rifle barrel is marked “65926”. The rifle barrel and shotgun barrel flats have German proof marks. The forend iron is marked “926”. The left shoulder of the receiver has “65926”, the right shoulder has a German proof. The trigger plate is marked “926”, visible through the water table. The receiver has scroll and border engraving.
Barrel Length: 25 5/8″ (65cm)
Choke: Left: Improved Modified, Right: Improved Modified, both Fixed.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade mounted to the front of the rib. There is a folding bead in front of the blade, the bead has mostly broken off. There is a “U”-notch rear sight which flips up when the rifle barrel is selected using the switch on the top tang. The top-rear of the right shotgun barrel has a base for a an optic mount (no mount present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with a splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, and serrated horn buttplate. There is a sling swivel in the belly and another mounted to the bottom of the barrel rib forward of the forend. The forend has a repaired crack across the bottom. There are a few tiny grain-line cracks at edges. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14″ and 13″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered light wear and some residue at the edges of the serrations. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as repaired.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores, the rifle bore has a little stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear on the barrels. The exposed portions of the receiver have mostly muted or worn to white, there is some weak color on the water table. There are some light nicks and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the proofs are worn. Overall, this gun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety is on the left of the wrist. When the rifle barrel is selected, the front sight pops-up. The front trigger can be pressed forward until it clicks to set. With the rifle barrel selected, the front trigger is used to fire the rifle barrel, but the left shotgun barrel can still be fired using the rear trigger. The barrels lock up with no play. 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: Georg Immanuel Meffert first started his gunmaking shop in 1839 in Suhl, and the Meffert family continued their operations into World War II, but unfortunately their area of Suhl fell under the Iron Curtain after the war and their factory was nationalized by the East German regime. Meffert initially adopted the trademark “Hubertus” after Saint Hubertus, the German patron saint of hunting. The Meffert firm would go on to pioneer the use of “Duralumin”, shortened to “Dural” to produce lightweight receivers for their sporting guns.
This example is a boxlock drilling which has an interesting assortment of features. It is chambered for 16 gauge shotgun shells over a 6.5x58mmR rifle barrel, suitable for most fowl and terrestrial game found in Europe and here in America. The rifle barrel is selected with a lever on the top tang, automatically raising the rear sight. Each barrel has a cocking indicator on the top tang around the lever. The front trigger is a single set-trigger, pushed forward to set. At some point, a scope mount was installed, and either that modification or the gun itself was a gift to a lucky young man from his grandfather, as evidenced by the markings on the mount.
Despite being 84 years old, the bores are in great shape, the action locks up tight, and the gun’s impressive assortment of features are still functioning properly. This is a gun which exudes quality, German craftsmanship, utility, and beauty. It is a wonderful example of a Meffert drilling and will make a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
