Make: J. Schneider
Model: Drilling
Serial Number: 1488
Year of Manufacture: 1912-1939
Caliber: 16 Gauge 2 1/2" over 9x72mmR
Action Type: Back-Action Drilling with Bottom Lever, External Hammers, Extractor, Dual Triggers, Tang Mounted Selector, and Front Set Trigger (see Mechanics)
Barrel Length: 27 1/4"
Choke: Left Full, Right Improved Modified, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in-line dovetailed to the top of the barrel rib. The rear sight is a folding "U"-notch in a base screw-secured to the rib. The rear sight flips up automatically when the rifle barrel is selected. The rib has mounts for a claw-style detachable scope mount, none present.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with schnabel-tip splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with cheekpiece, serrated horn buttplate, trapdoor in the belly over a compartment for four rifle cartridges, and a sling swivel mounted to the trapdoor assembly, there is another swivel mounted to the bottom of the rifle barrel in front of the forend. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The checkering shows handling wear, but is generally well defined. There are a few tiny losses around the edges of the wrist and a small loss at the toe. The LOP measures 13 5/8" and 12 5/8" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has moderate wear with notable worm holes. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The rifle bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling, having scattered light erosion and minor pitting. The shotgun bores are semi-bright with scattered light erosion and pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 6+/10.
Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrels have generally strong finish with wear on each side over the forend, scattered light nicks and scratches, and light wear from the forend, concealed when assembled. The receiver has some strong color, mostly in protected areas, with other areas muted, gone to patina or worn bright. The guard has light wear in the tang. There is scattered light oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some proof/inspection marks are worn. Overall, this drilling is in Good condition, see Mechanics
Mechanics: The set trigger does not function properly. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We did not fire this drilling. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The European hunting culture brought out a gun that like no other reflects the ingenuity and the art of gun making at its best, the drilling. Derived from the German word for "three", the drilling has three barrels, typically with two shotgun barrels over a single rifle barrel, though configurations vary. This allows the hunter to not only use the same gun for fowl and terrestrial game, but to switch between the two almost instantly when the opportunity arises. Drillings are heavily associated with Germany and this is an early 20th Century example.
We were not able to find much information about J. Schneider, the only name found on the gun, so it is possible that it is a "guild gun" produced by various makers and Schneider was simply a retailer. It is a back-action external hammer design with mechanical features such as its rear sight, which pops-up when the rifled barrel is selected and front single-set trigger for use with the rifle barrel, though it is not currently functioning properly. This drilling is in Good overall condition, retaining the majority of its original blue and case color finish. The bores show erosion consistent with the gun's age and likely use with corrosive primers. It will display well as-is, but would also be a great project to restore and get back out in the field. Please see our photos and good luck!
