Nakihunter,

I don't have to many notes to add. Here is what I know. The rifle is marked with the distributors name "V.C. Stiegele gun maker to the royal Bavarian court" of course that is not written in English. I have letter dated 10.1.2000 from them saying the rifle was made by J.P. Sauer & Son in Suhl and was sold by there firm some time between 1875 and 1880.

I also have paperwork with the original request to bring it into the US in the 1999. This letter point to the Hercules symbol under the right barrel as proof of J.P Sauer being the maker. It appears that it was auctioned in 1999 as a Las Vegas Antique Arms Show.

The letter states the gun is pre 1891 based on the absence of proof markers which we put into effect in 1891.

These documents do have email addresses that I will follow up on to see if I could possibly get some further history.

I am now at the end of my knowledge. The gun is tight and very well made. I just love handling it. It's my first double but hopefully not the last.

Best Regards, CG