german stalking rifle - help identify pics

scotraid · June 27, 2009, 10:48 PM

I've been trying to get info on this gun and only know that it's a german stalking rifle. Please help with identification and value of this gun.
the top of the barrel reads o. seelig hofbuchsenmacher wiesbaden
Thank you,
Scott

SDC · July 1, 2009, 10:54 AM

The markings show that this rifle was made by Otto Seelig, of Wiesbaden, Germany ("hofbuchsenmacher" is German for "rifle-maker's house"), but "value" is going to be tough to pin down, and will depend at least partially on what it's chambered for; a chamber-cast will determine that, as the proofs only show the projectile and powder weights it was proofed with. Seelig was active through the First World War; here's a page showing one of his 16 Ga SxSs for sale: http://www.gebrauchtwaffenprofi.de/g...ller&anzahl=25

mapsjanhere · August 6, 2009, 04:22 PM

Quick correction, Hof in this case doesn't refer to house but refers to the seat of nobility. Like the British "by appointment to Her Majesty" crests, this indicated the gun make was a supplier to some (pre-WW1) governing house. Since Wiesbaden wasn't a seat of government pre-45, it's hard to say by whose appointment the maker was using the title.
Also, I'm noticing the lack of crown over N proof mark, indicating the weapon might be chambered for an older black-powder round.

Jim Watson · August 6, 2009, 05:25 PM

172.28 is the gauge equivalent of 7.62mm bore diameter.
You don't suppose ol' Herr Seelig whipped up a .30-30 for somebody who had been reading too many American Western novels, do you?

paknheat · August 7, 2009, 09:08 PM

Can't be of much help here. But i know a work of ART when i see it . That rifle is just beautiful.

Bigfatts · August 8, 2009, 08:30 PM

I have seen rifles like that go in the $2500 range if it's in a decent caliber. They're a tough sell though, I'm trying to sell mine for much less than what it's worth in the for sale here and Gunbroker. Mine's Swiss though. If you want to maybe get more of an idea try emailibg this guy:

Gil Gilbert
[email protected]

He is into old German guns and might be of some help. He helped me get some info on an old Pre war Mauser sporter I have. Good luck.

Ruger4570 · August 9, 2009, 08:48 PM

Very nice gun, I wish it were mine. I can't help with the identity problem. I did get a chukle looking at the duck in the 4th pic. I am sure it would be tough to do better, but it does look a little cartoonish blown up that much. The dog is good as is the rest of the scroll work. Great luck with the gun.

MLeake · August 9, 2009, 09:19 PM

... but when I see a pointer and a bird, I assume a shotgun. You said this is a rifle?

mapsjanhere · August 10, 2009, 05:13 PM

Double triggers on a single barrel weapon - German rifle with "Stecher" (cocking one trigger sets the other as a hair trigger, usually breaking at 4 oz or less). Never used on a shotgun.

MLeake · August 10, 2009, 05:31 PM

... and I hadn't paid attention to the double triggers. It would be nice if there were a pic that included the barrel and muzzle.

However, I still find the engraving motif more suited to a shotgun. Would think they'd have engraved it with deer or boar.

June 27, 2009, 10:48 PM	#1
scotraid Junior Member Join Date: June 27, 2009 Posts: 1	german stalking rifle - help identify pics I've been trying to get info on this gun and only know that it's a german stalking rifle. Please help with identification and value of this gun. the top of the barrel reads o. seelig hofbuchsenmacher wiesbaden Thank you, Scott

July 1, 2009, 10:54 AM	#2
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	The markings show that this rifle was made by Otto Seelig, of Wiesbaden, Germany ("hofbuchsenmacher" is German for "rifle-maker's house"), but "value" is going to be tough to pin down, and will depend at least partially on what it's chambered for; a chamber-cast will determine that, as the proofs only show the projectile and powder weights it was proofed with. Seelig was active through the First World War; here's a page showing one of his 16 Ga SxSs for sale: http://www.gebrauchtwaffenprofi.de/g...ller&anzahl=25 __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

August 9, 2009, 09:19 PM	#8
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Forgive the stupid question... ... but when I see a pointer and a bird, I assume a shotgun. You said this is a rifle?

August 10, 2009, 05:31 PM	#10
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	I believe you... ... and I hadn't paid attention to the double triggers. It would be nice if there were a pic that included the barrel and muzzle. However, I still find the engraving motif more suited to a shotgun. Would think they'd have engraved it with deer or boar.

August 6, 2009, 04:22 PM	#3
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Quick correction, Hof in this case doesn't refer to house but refers to the seat of nobility. Like the British "by appointment to Her Majesty" crests, this indicated the gun make was a supplier to some (pre-WW1) governing house. Since Wiesbaden wasn't a seat of government pre-45, it's hard to say by whose appointment the maker was using the title. Also, I'm noticing the lack of crown over N proof mark, indicating the weapon might be chambered for an older black-powder round.

August 6, 2009, 05:25 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	172.28 is the gauge equivalent of 7.62mm bore diameter. You don't suppose ol' Herr Seelig whipped up a .30-30 for somebody who had been reading too many American Western novels, do you?

August 7, 2009, 09:08 PM	#5
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	Can't be of much help here. But i know a work of ART when i see it . That rifle is just beautiful.

August 8, 2009, 08:30 PM	#6
Bigfatts Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Lutz Posts: 1,528	I have seen rifles like that go in the $2500 range if it's in a decent caliber. They're a tough sell though, I'm trying to sell mine for much less than what it's worth in the for sale here and Gunbroker. Mine's Swiss though. If you want to maybe get more of an idea try emailibg this guy: Gil Gilbert [email protected] He is into old German guns and might be of some help. He helped me get some info on an old Pre war Mauser sporter I have. Good luck.

August 9, 2009, 08:48 PM	#7
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Very nice gun, I wish it were mine. I can't help with the identity problem. I did get a chukle looking at the duck in the 4th pic. I am sure it would be tough to do better, but it does look a little cartoonish blown up that much. The dog is good as is the rest of the scroll work. Great luck with the gun.

August 10, 2009, 05:13 PM	#9
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Double triggers on a single barrel weapon - German rifle with "Stecher" (cocking one trigger sets the other as a hair trigger, usually breaking at 4 oz or less). Never used on a shotgun.