Krieghoff Neptun
Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik · Rifle · In Production · 1953
Also known as: Krieghoff Neptun Drilling, Neptun-Primus
Overview
The Krieghoff Neptun is a German drilling, a three-barrel break-action combination gun pairing two side-by-side smoothbore shotgun barrels (commonly 16 or 20 gauge) over a single rifled barrel, here chambered for the 7x65mm R cartridge. Introduced in 1953 after Krieghoff relocated to Ulm, the Neptun is the firm's hand-detachable sidelock drilling, distinguished from the boxlock Trumpf by its sideplate locks fitted with coil springs and a safety catch bar for a clean trigger pull. Built around Boehler Antinit barrel steel with double barrel-hook locking reinforced by a Greener crossbolt, an automatic folding rear sight and provision for a pivot-mount scope, it is a classic Suhl-pattern hunting rifle-and-shotgun intended for mixed European driven and stalking game.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1050 mm (41.34") |
| Barrel Length | 632 mm (24.88") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 3 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 810 m/s (2657 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3295 J (2430 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7x65mm R · primary — also known as 7x65R, 7x65mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Break Open Drilling
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Barrel Selector, Sidelock Safety Bar
- Features: Drilling Three Barrel, Two Shotgun One Rifle Barrel, Side By Side Shotgun Barrels, Rifle Barrel Below, Hand Detachable Sidelocks, Coil Spring Locks, Double Barrel Hook Locking, Greener Crossbolt, Automatic Folding Rear Sight, Scope Mount Provision, Set Trigger, Boehler Antinit Barrels
Variants
- Krieghoff Neptun-Primus - Premium Sidelock
Production
Production years: 1953-present
Built to order as a premium hunting drilling; exact production figures are not published
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Notes
The Neptun is the sidelock member of Krieghoff's post-war drilling family (Trumpf boxlock, Neptun sidelock). The top-tier Neptun-Primus adds finely engraved, partly gilded hand-detachable locks. Caliber pairings were made to order; a common configuration is 7x65R rifle with 16/70 or 20/76 shotgun barrels, and a 22-calibre insert barrel was sometimes fitted inside the right shotgun tube.
Background
Krieghoff traces its drilling lineage to the firm's 1886 founding as Sempert & Krieghoff in Suhl. The Neptun, named for the Roman sea-god, arrived in 1953 as part of the company's post-war revival in Ulm alongside the Trumpf, Teck and Ulm models, carrying the classic Suhl sidelock tradition into the modern era.