June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
This commercial Broomhandle Model C-96 was manufactured circa 1911. Left side of barrel has the German "U" with crown proof mark. All matching numbers. Standard configuration with factory presentation nickel finish. Left side of magazine well is stamped "An FELIX GRAF von LUCKNER SEINE BESTEN GLÜCKWÜNSCHE AUSSPRICHT Kaiser Wilhelm II 9. JUNI 1912". The rear sight, extractor, trigger, and safety are Nitre blue. The walnut grips have 32 thin serrations. Has a nickel plated lanyard ring. Special solid walnut stock that is not equipped as a holster and does not open up., nickel plate trim and ivory buttplate with Nitre blue screws. Left grip panel has a gold plated oval with the initials "F.G" for Felix Graf von Luckner. Von Lucker was born on June 9th, 1881 and was called up to the German Navy in February of 1912, and served on the gun boat S.M.S. Panther. This pistol was apparently given to Felix on his birthday the year he was called up as a Naval officer. He was a German war hero during the first war and was noted as capturing 14 enemy ships while aboard the Seeadler (the Sea Eagle). His nickname was the "Sea Devil" (Der Seeteufel) and his crew were referred to as the Emperor's Pirates (Die Piraten des Kaiser) during his service between 1916 and 1917. He was a German nobleman, Naval officer and author. He saw action in the early months of 1914 commanding a gun turret battleship, becoming a merchant raider. The Seeadler left port on December 21st, 1916 under his command. Luckner's military record while on board the Seeadler was nothing short of phenomenal making him a hero of the German people. He wrote a book about his war-time adventures in 1921. In 1926 he raised funds of a sailing ship called the Vaterland and sent out on a goodwill mission around the world leaving Bremen on September 19th and arrived at New York City on October 22nd, 1926. Upon his arrival, Henry Ford presented him with a motor car and became an honorary member of San Francisco. This pistol remains in near mint condition, retaining nearly all of its original finish and showing no signs of any use. Mint bore. Stock has minor storage impressions. Extremely handsome and historic one of a kind Broomhandle Mauser. This exquisite presentation Broomhandle originates from the family of Julius Gassner, whose passport lists his profession as garcon. A profile of him lists Maitre d' Hotel New York Athletic Club. He was born in Vienna in 1891 and moved to the U.S. in 1915. To substantiate this family connection, there is an autographed photo, dated 1930-31, autographed by Felix Luckner to Julius Gassner. The image shows Luckner in full Naval uniform with all of his medals. According to the family letter written by Jules Gassner, Julius was their grandfather, died in 1967, letter is dated 1996. It recalls the first observation of this pistol in 1953 at Julius' summer home in Belgrade Lakes, Maine. According to the family, Julius and Luckner were acquainted prior to World War I when both were in Canada, after the war he encountered Luckner in New York in 1931, at that time Julius acquired the pistol from Luckner. Pistol remained in his possession until 1967 and was given to a cousin who was a D.C. attorney. Jules Gassner acquired the pistol upon his death in the 1980's. It notes that a fitted case once accompanied this pistol but has disappeared and is now presented in a period oak carry case. Given the military fame of Felix Luckner, the custom finish, the presentation by the Kaiser makes this one of the most spectacular Broomhandle Mauser pistols to ever appear at market.
Caliber/Bore
7.63mm Mauser