What I'm looking at is a Drilling rifle - made by Sauer - Imported by Charles Daly - 12g over 38-55 (I think).  Damascus barrels, external hammers.

The good - it's pretty clean, no dings, dents, etc.

The bad - the hammer screws have been replaced.  I would need to find somewhere to reproduce them - because what is there doesn't belong - and the chances of finding original replacements is probably impossible


I don't usually like the collect stuff that I can't shoot - so I wanted to run it by the guys in here.

I'm not a reloader (anymore) - so I would be looking for commercial black powder light loads - brass shotgun shells, 38-55, etc.  Any idea where to get that stuff?  I see Buffalo did offer 38-55 and it is backorderable - but I'm having a hard time finding brass shotgun shells.

So for the TLDR crowd -

Where can I get reproduction screws made to replace old unattainable ones?

Where can I get commercial black powder loads of old calibers and or brass shotgun shells?

Should I "pull the trigger" on a turn of the Century Charles Daly Drilling for $1200 (give or take)?


If I make it down there Wednesday - I will get some photos - but for now - it is the same model as this one...

I would personally pass on that one, and find something a little more modern. Price seems high to me.

I'll second that. It also looks to have been poorly "refinished".

If you do decide to buy it Briley makes adapters so that you can shoot 20ga in those old guns, modern loads for 38-55 are not hot, they are loaded to bp velocity.
The Briley adapters go the full length of the barrel and can be custom fit for the gun, they are not cheap.

You probably already know to inspect Damascus barrels carefully.

I was thinking it was a little too new for me.