Help Identify Historic Rifle/Shotgun!

[Mr. Anthony]

Hey everyone:

My grandad moved into a retirement community and dispersed 30 or so guns to us family members. I need some help with some information about the most interesting one I ended up with. I'm hoping someone here will have at least a good starting point for me. I haven't had a ton of time to research it up yet, but what I have so far:

Pre-WWII Jmman (Imman) Meffert Suhl shotgun/rifle over/under. Shotgun appears to be 16 gauge, but I assume will not accept modern 2 3/4" shells safely. Rifle takes (I think) some sort of 7.8 mm round, as this is engraved under the stock on the barrel. I will get some pictures up after I get back from shooting clays today (not this gun!), but this gun is BEAUTIFUL. It's a functional work of art. Everything is in fantastic shape, and I have no doubt it will shoot fine once I get everything figured out and looked over by someone more qualified than myself.

Just figured I'd start out here, since I trust the vast amount of information our members are always able to provide on everything.

I'll get some pics up before too long, hopefully.

Thanks,
Mr. Anthony

[ta2dave76]

I'm sure someone will help you. You will have to post pics though because we will get bored with the thread and it will be lost forever.

Sounds like a neat rifle though.











You have been willjack'd™

[Mr. Anthony]

Ok, here are the some pictures of the gun:
http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...hlRifle025.jpg
Crappy full-body shot.

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...hlRifle026.jpg
Manufacturer's name engraved.

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...hlRifle029.jpg
This says "Nitro". Just past here is the "Suhl" engraving.

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...hlRifle030.jpg
Underneath the removable foregrip. It says 7.8mm, 57, 5/29, some symbol, ST. m. G, 13 GR, and some stamps of an eagle-thing.

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...hlRifle031.jpg
I think these might be aftermarket-type engravings.

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...hlRifle033.jpg
Pic of the action broken open. 16 gauge shotgun on top, rifle on bottom.

Any ideas where to start? This gun is beautiful in person.

[FatCamXD]

Quick google search bought up a few interesting things:
Imman. Meffert - TheFirearmsForum.Com

Also, some links had some side by sides selling for 1600-1700 bucks. You may be sittin on a gold mine.

[Mr. Anthony]

Yeah, I had seen those links already. I'm trying to figure out 1) a reliable way to tell when it was made; 2) exactly what kind of ammo I could shoot in it (if I can); 3) how common/rare it is.

I'm not too worried about the monetary value; I'm not planning on selling it, although curiosity makes me at least wonder ballpark value on it. It's just a cool, cool piece of firearms history. It caught the eye of my great uncle, who took it off the bonfire pile when Germany started making citizens turn in their guns after the war.

And for some reason I just really want to put a couple of rounds through it if possible, just to say I did.

[Brickboy240]

Prior to WWII, 16 gauge shells were 2 9/16" in length. Some time at or after WWII, we standardized the 16 gauge and all 16 gauge shotguns made after WWII were marked "2 3/4" and took the 2 3/4" 16 gauge shells.

How do I know this? I have a 1920 made Winchester Model 12 and went through this already! LOL

Your choices are to have the chamber reamed out to accept 2 3/4" shells or buy the 2.5 inch 16 gauge shells sold by Woodcock Hill or other makers.

- brickboy240