This is an excellent WWII J. P. Sauer and Sohns M30 German Luftwaffe survival drilling, that is complete with military release papers showing that it was mailed home in May 1945. The M30 Drilling was standard issue to Luftwaffe bomber crews in North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater from 1941-43. They are a three-barreled combination gun; double barrel 12 gauge, over a 9.3X74R rifle barrel. These drilling rifles exhibit beautiful pre-war workmanship as produced by the J. P. Sauer and Sohns factory that consists of the high polish rust blued barrel with the beautiful color casehardened receiver and trigger with an oil finished European walnut stock and forearm that rivaled anything that was produced in the US. The bottom of the rear barrel lug has a single "stick Eagle/2" Luftwaffe acceptance mark and the underside of each barrel has the Commercial "Eagle/N" proof marks, along with the bore and gauge/caliber markings, "12/65" and is dated 10-41 for the month and year of manufacture. Both shotgun barrels and the rifle barrel are marked "KRUPP-LAUFSTAHL". The serial number "337097" is located on the underside of the rifle barrel, on the left receiver rail and on the receiver tang. The right rear breech area of the shotgun barrel also has the larger "Luftwaffe Eagle" Luftwaffe mark carrying the Nazi Swastika. The barrel has a matted rib with brass bead front sight. These drillings have a Greener type cross-bolt receiver/action with a side mounted safety lever. The top left edge of the receiver rail is marked with the matching serial number "337097" with the intertwined "SS" proof for the Sauer & Sohns factory along with the Commercial Eagle "N" firing proof on the right side. 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. This drilling has a very nice European walnut stock (with a 13 7/8ths inch LOP) and forend, with the small oval cheekpiece, color casehardened pistol grip cap with a black plastic serrated buttplate that has the intertwined "SS" logo of the Sauer & Sohns factory in the center. The right side of the buttstock is stamped with a large prominent Luftwaffe Eagle/Swastika insignia. 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. This rifle has a diminutive high quality scroll engraving on the receiver, trigger guard, and engraved screw heads, with the forearm and pistol grip finely checkered. The drilling is packed in an aluminum carrying case that has the gray painted exterior. 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, cleaning equipment and sling. The rifle also includes an original leather sling, an original three section wooden cleaning rod with a brass jag, two shotgun bore brushes, two rifle wire bore brushes along one rifle and one shotgun bore mop, all housed in an original style black cardboard storage box that fits inside the aluminum case. This lot also includes one original M30 German training or instruction manual.

Fine overall with 85% of the faded original pre-WWII blued finish on the barrels with several areas of the blue finish having thinned out and dulled somewhat over time. The receiver, trigger guard, lower tang, grip cap and forend attaching iron all retain 30% of their faded original case colors with the balance having turned a medium brown patina from use and handling over the years. The stock and forend both retain 85% of their oil finish showing handling marks, light scratches and pressure dents in various areas. The original aluminum storage case is in very good plus condition overall with 70% of the original dark green Luftwaffe painted exterior showing scratches, and paint loss in various areas and will probably improve with a little cleaning. The various accessories are all in very good to fine condition. A solid representative example of a scarce WWII Luftwaffe M30 Survival gun.