Mike, Mine was completely rebarrelled,  Even had to look real close (by sharper eyes than mine) to see where the breechblock had been bushed and redrilled for a rimfire.  If Biggi hadn't told me that the 22rfs did not come into common use until the 19-teens/twenties or so I'd have sworn it was all earlier/original.

I have had a theory that WW2  GIs of 2nd/3rd generation German American descent, from parts of the country where the schuetzen sport had been more common, who were in Germany very late in the war: and in the early occupation when civilian arms confiscation was being enforced, may have been more likely to recognize what those odd looking target rifles were, salvaged them, and brought them home as trophies. (very long complex sentence ---sorry)
 SO you might be more likely to find them in areas of the country where such trophies might have been more common. As the original GIS passed away and their estates entered the market the rifles started showing up.   Seems like a fair share of them were in the upper midwest from western PA west to the St Louis area and north of the Ohio---some too in New England;  I also suspect that areas where the "greatest Generation GIs" retired and other areas of military retirement/base concentration in the late 40's 50s & 60's might have had more of them as well.

But thats just a theory.  With an internet based market, now distribution is from all over.  Collectors watch closely and monitor estate sales and auctions.  I haven't seen one in years at a general/ public gun show.

I got both my German single shot rifle at a auction house in Orange, CA (my home town) (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links). I bought them in the 80's from them when they were a much smaller company.

Frank

Mike and Frank, I'll probably never get the money to get one but do appreciate your input. Sad to say it you are probably right as our vets are leaving us as too fast a rate and when they are gone no one wants what they have had for so many years. God bless them all!!. Found out last week that I lost a good friend and shooting buddy. He passed in august and I only found out when I went by his house and no vehicles. Had a bad feeling so googled him and found his obituary notice. he was only 57. Darn. Thanks again, Frank

Hey Marlin guy, you hit the nail on the head. Even when I was a young guy and interested I did not have enough money, something else was always more important on the list of needs. 
I was lucky in that I had uncles that were really interested in the old guns, and in single shot rifles. One uncle in particular had a very large volume , more than most gunshops. He had been collecting for years, all types too. 
This early education on the finer points of shooting fine single shot rifles left a long lasting impression on me. And when I could about 20 years ago I started collecting. I do not have many, I buy and sell. But I always have fun. I love the older rifles. They have class that the newer rifles do not as far as I think. If we could get more youngsters involved in the sport it would be great. I have 3 boys that love to shoot, but only new guns. They think a muzzle loader is for a dog, as in muzzle.

The odd thing is when looking for old single shot rifles I generally find that they turn up in the strangest places sometimes. The thing with these fine old rifles that gets my goat is an auctioneer that really does not know rifles gets contacted by a family to haul it all away and half the good stuff ends up in the trash, like the tools and items from a cased set, signed targets from Pope and others. 
Take care and happy collecting.
Mike

As far as I can see on that pic, the rifle has the normal German proofmarks B-G-U with the crowns and the running number 172 from the year 1928 as shown.

             Biggi. 

Hi Biggi, thanks for the translation on the date this one was made. I had to change the auction on Gunbroker so it ships to an FFL holder.
Mike