Hello all,

I was researching my Granddad's drilling gun (a Christopher Funk) which my Granddad rescued from a gun stockpile burning during WWII in 1944 (not sure where exactly). Last year my Grandfather passed away and left the gun to me. Anyway, I have been tracking down information about the drilling gun based on its castings/markings. I was wondering if this forum may be able to help decode some of the information or know of someone who can? Here are some of the markings...

Inlay is a single male deer and several female deer.

On the top
Christopher Funk in Suhl (manufacturer)
Prima Wittener Excelsior Suhl (suhl=steel)

On the bottom of the barrels
Nitro (on all three barrels)
8,7mm (on the rifle)
U with a crown overhead
W with a pentagon overhead
front view of an eagle/phoenix with its wings open

2.45 g GBP
----------
Stmg

Serial number 23740 on barrels and stock
13/1
12 with a circle around it

I also have a scope with the following marks...

Pernox 31/2 x
C.P. COERZ
Berlin
No. 1200

I will take some pictures as time permits and post them. Exentually I will hand the gun to my own son and would love to have all the information available to him.

Thank you,
Quince

German Gun Collectors Association can fill you in on your drilling.
http://www.germanguns.com/

I have added some pics top photobucket. here is the URL:

http://s272.photobucket.com/al...h%20Funk%20Drilling/

thank you

Very nice sidelock drilling, Since the chamber lingth is'nt marked I would have to assume it 2&1/2 inch (not a problem) rare that it's a 12 ga of this vintage from Suhl.
I had a Christof Funk BBF it was a nice gun but not as nice as yours.
Your Grandfather chose well when liberating this one.

After consultation with whom I consider the best at interpretation on markings,these were his comments:
Can you check the left side of the bbl lug & also the standing breech for a FWK monogram? The GBP stamp is indeed that of pre 1912 rules, but the 8,7 stamp indicates post 1910 in Suhl. I would look toward the maker Keßler as right before WWI, Ernst & Oscar Funk were at the helm and Ernst Funk married F.W.Keßler's daughter! Keßler was the King of upper rung sidelock drillings. Note the EK toward the forend hanger!

I will check when I get back home next week...will let you know.

thank you,
Quince
Denver CO

That's a honey!! Never sell it. I hope your son will treasure it.

I had a Franz Kettner drilling with 8.7mm on the rifle barrel that was 9x57R. I was told that 8.7mm was the diameter of the lands. I bought 9mm rifle bullets from Hawk bullets.

How about pics of the scope? Does it have rings to fit the claw bases? Love the side offset claw bases.

Thanks for sharing.