More fascinating and surprising appraisals of your vintage firearms

I own a J.P. Sauer & Sohn 12-gauge side-by-side (above). I know very little about it, so I was wondering if you could help me out. The words “Spezial Laufstahl,” and “Bochumer Verien” are engraved on the sides of the 28.25-inch barrels (serial number is 285069). On the left side of the action, there is an engraving of two ducks lifting off from a marsh; on the right side, there are two pheasants running alongside a creek. This shotgun has been used very little, and it is in very good to excellent shape. I hope you can tell me more about it, and what it may be worth on today’s market.

BRUCE FOY

EDMONTON, ALBERTA

Established in 1751, J.P. Sauer & Sohn is a highly respected gun company, and it continues to make quality firearms. Your shotgun appears to be a Model 60, a field-grade gun made from about the middle of the 1950s to the mid-1970s. As far as I can tell, your shotgun was made in 1961 or 1962. It’s a fairly basic hunting gun with double triggers and extractors, but very well made with quality materials.

I’m not aware of any collector interest in this gun, so its value is primarily as a fine sporting firearm. I estimate it would bring in $900 to $1,100 at a Canadian gun auction, likely closer to the higher end of that range because of its excellent condition.

There’s no question about the gun’s overall quality and safety, but if it were mine, I would only use lead shot to prevent the barrels from being scored or the chokes from getting opened up. Even though it is a 12-gauge, it’s as light as many 20-gauge doubles—approximately 6.5 to 6.75 pounds, depending on the wood density—making it a fine gun for long walks hunting upland game.