Sempert & Krieghoff Neptun-Primus 16 GA/8x72mmR Drilling Combo Gun 1933 C&R

SOLD FOR: $5581.99

LSB#: 230724JC001

Make: Sempert & Krieghoff

Model: Neptun-Primus Drilling

Serial Number: 15890

Year of Manufacture: 1933

Gauge: The shotgun barrels are 16 Gauge with 2 3/4” chambers. The rifle barrel is 8x72mmR.

Action Type: Top Lever Break Opening Sidelock Drilling with Side Barrel Selector, Cocking Indicators (the rear sight serves as a cocking indicator for the rifle barrel), Single Set-Trigger, Detachable Trigger Assembly and left-side Safety Switch

Barrel Length: 23 5/8″ (60cm)

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

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade which is in-lined dovetailed to the front of the rib. There is a “U”-notch rear sight which flips up when the rifle barrel is selected using the switch to the left of the triggers. The top-rear of the rib has bases for a an optic mount (no mount present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece walnut with a semi-beavertail forend, capped checkered pistol grip, arched comb with European-style shadow-line cheekpiece, and serrated black 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 appears to be a replacement with a braze-repair on the interior of the forend iron toward the rear. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, more in the buttstock than the forend. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks in the wood. The LOP measures 14 1/2″ and 13 1/2″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with a crack at the heel and well defined serrations. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as partially not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue & Coin

Finish Originality: The forend iron is refinished, mostly likely when it was repaired. Other metal finish is Original.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate about 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 93% of its metal finish. The blued finish is thinning at most edges. The barrels have generally strong finish with some scattered nicks and scratches, most notable on the right shotgun barrel about 5″ from the muzzle. The forend iron has a braze-repair on the interior toward the rear. The frame’s coin finish is generally strong with infrequent minor discoloration from oxidation. The horn trigger guard has some scattered nicks and chips on the edges. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear with good detail in the engraving. Overall, this drilling is in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety is on the left lockplate. There is a lever on the left above the triggers which cocks the rifle barrel. When the rifle barrel is cocked, 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 front trigger can be set by pushing it forward until it clicks. The trigger assembly can be removed by rotating the lever (actually the head of a screw) in front of the trigger guard and rotating the grip cap to release the bottom tang. 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: Included is an RCBS two-die 8x72mmR die set, forty fired cases and twenty loaded cartridges (reloads, for component use only).

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 it 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 the “Neptun-Primus”, a sidelock drilling which has an interesting assortment of features. It is chambered for 16 gauge shotgun shells over an 8x72mmR rifle barrel, suitable for most fowl and terrestrial game found in Europe and here in America. The rifle is cocked and selected by pressing down on a lever on the left side, automatically raising the rear sight. Each lock plate has a cocking indicator for its corresponding shotgun barrel, cleverly placed where they do not interrupt the exquisite game scenes relief-engraved on each plate. The receiver has corresponding foliate engraving. The trigger assembly is easily detached without the use of tools and the front trigger, used to fire the rifle barrel, is a single set-trigger. 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 better shape than they have any right to be, 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 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