SIMSON SUHL – DRILLING, Cal. 16/70, 7 x 57R

Simson & Co. was one of the most important arms manufacturers in Suhl, Germany; founded in the second half of the 19th century, the company became one of the major suppliers of German sporting and military arms. After 1936 the company was “Aryanised”, and the factory changed its name several times. After the war, production of sporting guns continued in Suhl under various East German industrial structures.

The Simson drilling shown here, in a 16/70 – 16/70 – 7x57R configuration and fitted with a Zeiss 4×50 scope on a claw mount, is one of the most successful hunting combinations produced in Germany. For the classic European hunter this configuration is extremely versatile: shot for birds and hare, and 7x57R for roe deer, red deer and wild boar. The overall appearance of the gun is very good, the engraving is of good quality and the barrels are clean with no trace of rust; the shot barrels are mirror-bright and the rifle barrel shows crisp rifling with deep grooves, with over 95% of the bluing retained. The woodwork is in impeccable condition, with minimal signs of use. Lock-up is solid, with no play. The gun is fitted with a ZEISS DIAVARI 4 – 50 scope with a crosshair reticle on a claw mount. The finish is superior to that of many modern mass-produced guns.