This is a fine representative example of a desirable World War II J. P. Sauer and Sohn M30 German Luftwaffe survival drilling. The M30 drilling was issued to Luftwaffe air crews in North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater from 1941-1943 to provide them with a high quality survival weapon in the event of a forced landing. They were considered to be the finest survival rifle ever issued by any military. They are a three-barreled combination gun; double barrel 12 gauge barrels over a 9.3X74R rifle barrel. The right side of the buttstock has a large inlaid aluminum plaque insignia of the Jagdgeschwader 3 "Udet", with a large inlaid aluminum plaque on the left of Group II. Fighter Wing 3 of the Luftwaffe was named after Ernst Udet, an instrumental figure in the development of the Luftwaffe. This squadron operated on all the German fronts of World War II in the European Theater. The bottom of the barrel lug has a single "stick Eagle/2" Luftwaffe acceptance mark, and the underside of each barrel has the commercial "eagle/N" proofmarks along with the bore and gauge/caliber markings. Both shotgun barrels and the rifle barrel are marked: "KRUPP-LAUFSTAHL". The matching serial number is located on the underside of the rifle barrel, on the left receiver rail and on the receiver tang, and the partial matching serial number "4844" is stamped on the inside of the forearm. The right rear breech area of the shotgun barrel also has the larger "Luftwaffe Eagle". The barrel has a matted rib with silver bead front sight. These drilling have a Greener type cross-bolt receiver/action with a side mounted safety lever. The receiver is marked on the inside rail with the matching serial number with the intertwined "SS" proof for the Sauer & Sohn factory along with the commercial "eagle/N" firing proof. Both sides of the receiver are marked with "J.P. SAUER & SOHN, SUHL" with a larger intertwined "SS" logo on the underside of the receiver. The top of the receiver tang has a sliding barrel selector catch. When engaged, the rifle barrel selector raises a folding, 100 meter rifle rear sight on the barrel rib and engages the forward trigger for firing the rifle barrel. The front trigger can be pushed forward to activate a "single set" trigger. High quality scroll engraving on the receiver, trigger guard, and engraved screw heads, with the forearm and pistol grip finely checkered. The shotgun has a blue barrel, casehardened receiver and trigger guard and oil finished, European walnut stock and forearm. The stock has small inlaid pearls on either side of the wrist, Luftwaffe inlays as mentioned above, European oval cheekpiece and a casehardened pistol grip cap with a black plastic serrated buttplate that has the intertwined "SS" logo of the Sauer & Sohn factory in the center. The drilling is packed in a black painted aluminum carrying case. The inside lid of the carrying case contains a black stenciled listing of the original contents of the case. The case is divided into compartments for the drilling, ammunition, and cleaning equipment. The case includes some cleaning tools and rods, and an open box of NORMA 9.3 X 72 mm R cartridges containing four cartridges. The lot includes some consignor supplied research.

Extremely fine, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrels, 70% vivid original case colors mostly concentrated on the receiver with areas faded to a smooth gray patina on the balance. The wood is fine, with some light handling marks, a light crack visible on the right behind the receiver area, an added reinforcement pin visible above forward trigger, and defined edges and checkering. The wood to metal fit is tight. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good, with some heavy filing marks visible on the lid. This desirable World War II Luftwaffe inlaid Sauer M30 Luftwaffe Survival Drilling would make a fine addition to any German military collection!