In House Shipping:
Make: Immanuel Meffert
Model: "Hubertus" Drilling
Serial Number: 44555
Year of Manufacture: 1935
Gauge: The shotgun barrels are 16 Gauge. The rifle barrel is 9.3x72mmR.
Action Type: Bottom Lever Break Opening Back-Action Drilling with Top Barrel Selector, External Hammers, Front Single Set-Trigger
Barrel Length: 27 1/4"
Choke: Left: Improved Modified, Right: Cylinder Bore, both Fixed.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade mounted to the front of the rib. The rear sight is a folding "U"-notch dovetailed to the rib. The rib and the dollshead extension are drilled, tapped and filled for mounting an optic (no mount present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with a splinter forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb with European-style cheekpiece, and serrated black hard rubber buttplate. There is a hole in the belly for a sling stud (not present, no forward sling mount). The forend has a few losses along the top edges, more notable at the rear. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is wear in the wrist checkering on the left, otherwise the checkering is well defined. 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 scattered light wear with well defined serrations, there is oxidation on the heads of the mounting screws. Overall, the stocks are in about Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The shotgun bores are mostly bright with infrequent minor erosion. The rifle bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the rifle bore. In this writer's opinion, the shotgun bores rate 9/10, the rifle bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation and a few light marks. The action shows operational wear. There is scattered minor erosion under the finish. The side ribs have been re-attached and pinned. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some of the proofs are worn. Overall, this gun is in Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The front trigger can be pressed forward until it clicks to set. With the rifle barrel selected, the front trigger is used to fire the rifle barrel, but the left shotgun barrel can still be fired using the rear trigger. The barrels lock up with no play. We have not fired this drilling. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Georg Immanuel Meffert first started his gunmaking shop in 1839 in Suhl, and the Meffert family continued their operations into World War II. Unfortunately Suhl fell under the Iron Curtain after the war and their factory was nationalized by the East German regime. Meffert initially adopted the trademark “Hubertus” after Saint Hubertus, the German patron saint of hunting.
This example is a back-action drilling which has an interesting assortment of features. It is chambered for 16 gauge shotgun shells over a 9.3x72mmR rifle barrel, suitable for most fowl and terrestrial game found in Europe and here in America. The rifle barrel is selected with a lever on the top tang. The front trigger is a single set-trigger, pushed forward to set. At some point, a scope mount was installed, though the mount is not present.
Despite being 90 years old, the shotgun bores are in great shape, the rifle bore is decent, the action locks up tight, and the gun's impressive assortment of features are still functioning properly. The gun has been refinished with the side ribs re-attached. Still, this is a gun which exudes German craftsmanship and utility. It is a neat example of a Meffert drilling and will make a good addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!