Sempert & Krieghoff 16 GA/7.8x57mmR Drilling Rifle/Shotgun Combo Gun, C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,980.00

WOA#: WY240415EH242

Make: Sempert & Krieghoff

Model: Drilling

Serial Number: 14877

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1930

Gauge: The shotgun barrels are 16 Gauge. The rifle barrel is 7.8x57mmR.

Action Type: Top Lever Break Opening Boxlock Drilling with Side Safety, Top Barrel Selector, Cocking Indicators, Front Single Set-Trigger (not currently functioning)

Markings: The top of the left barrel is marked “SEMPERT & KRIEGHOFF, SUHL.”. The front optic base is marked “KRIEGHOFF / MONTAGE / SEMPERT & / KRIEGHOFF / SUHL”. The bottom of each barrel has a Krupp marking, the rifle barrel is marked “14877”. The rifle barrel and shotgun barrel flats have German proof marks. The forend iron is marked “14877”. The left shoulder of the receiver has German proofs and “14877”. The trigger plate is marked “KRIEGHOFF / DRILLING / SEMPER”. The receiver has scroll and border engraving.

Barrel Length: 23 5/8″ (60cm)

Choke: Left: Full, Right: Modified, both Fixed.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade mounted to the front of the rib. There is a square notch rear sight which flips up when the rifle barrel is selected using the switch on the top tang. The top-rear of the rib has bases for an optic mount (no mount present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with a beavertail forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, and ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr White Line recoil pad. There is a sling swivel in the belly and another mounted to the bottom of the barrel rib forward of the forend. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14″ and 13″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the recoil pad, 13 1/8″ and 12 1/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has light wear and has hardened some with age. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some scattered light erosion in the bores, the shotgun bores have some pitting, mostly concentrated around the forcing cones. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 6 or 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is a spot of wear on the top of the left barrel over the front of the forend. The exposed portions of the receiver have mostly muted or worn to white, there is some color on the water table and under the lever. There are some light nicks and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. The screw heads are 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 front trigger does not set properly Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The safety is on the left of the wrist. When the rifle barrel is selected, the front sight pops-up. 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 barely perceptible 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: H. Krieghoff GmbH – known worldwide as “Krieghoff” – began as a single vision to build the ideal hunting gun, a Drilling. Krieghoff’s evolution from its 1886 founding as Sempert and Krieghoff to one of the top manufacturers of fine hunting and sporting arms currently spans five generations, each with an innovative eye to the future. Reflecting its roots, Krieghoff continues to build and offer hunting arms, such as drillings, rifles including double rifles and shotguns including a bespoke line of true sidelock arms. With their pure elegance, first-class craftsmanship and proven technology, these masterpieces of the art of gunmaking fall into the same category as the highly coveted “best” English or Italian guns.

This example is a boxlock drilling which has an interesting assortment of features. It is chambered for 16 gauge shotgun shells over a 7.8x57mmR 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. Rounding out the gun’s impressive features are Kreighoff “Montage” optic mount bases, though the mount is not included.

Despite being 90 years old, the bores are in fair shape, the action locks up well, and the gun’s impressive assortment of features are still functioning properly with the exception of the set-trigger. This is a gun which exudes quality, German craftsmanship, utility, and beauty. It is a wonderful example of Krieghoff’s work and an impressive piece given its condition and the turbulent time and place in which it was made. It 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