November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
This early rifle was brought back from Germany by Ralph Strang, whose unit took up residence in the former Austrian castle, which was taken over by famed German General Scherer. General Scherer became a legend after commanding troops in the epic 107 day battle of Cholm where Theodore Scherer was encircled by Russians, and cut off from all ground supplies, and fortified sparsely through German airdrops. This pivotal achievement earned General Scherer the commissioned Cholm shield, awarded to him by Adolph Hitler. It is fully documented with photos of General Scherer's home taken at time of American occupation and a picture of Ralph Strang in 1944 with numerous pictures of this rifle signed by Strong, stating that he got this rifle in 1945 and brought it back with him after the war. Scherer's home was in the town of Ulm, Germany. Strang was a PFC in the S2 section headquartered in Don Scherer's house. The gun was given to Ralph by company commander Frank Lewis. This rifle was sold by Strang to Captain John A Supren in Sept 1986. Included in the documentation and numerous articles about Scherer and various awards is a picture of him receiving his oakleaves from Hitler personally, and a list of his accolades, etc. This is a beautiful Mauser sporting rifle in its own right, but all the more interesting because it once belonged to a major Nazi officer and came back after the war as part of the Curio Veteran bring-back program. This gun is devoid of manufacture stamps, it is chambered for 8mm cartridge, has bolt action, 24” barrel, full matted rib, folding leaf rear-sight, ramp front-sight, claw mounts, straight decorated butter knife bolt handle,and double-set triggers. The walnut sporting half stock features checkered round knob with Wundhammer raised side panels. Schnabel forend with wedge barrel attachment. The barrel retains approximately 95% original factory blue, frame retains approximately 85% factory blue with high edge wear. Floorplate and trigger guard have turned patina. Excellent stocks, steel buttplate, period sling. Fine bore and perfect action. Very fine custom Mauser commercial sporting rifle with great documented World War II Nazi history.