November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
This is the first M30 we have seen that actually comes with the original GI release capture paper. The history on this weapon is quite fascinating. A total of 2,456 of these were manufactured by J. P. Sauer to be used by members of the Luftwaffe bomber squads for survival if they were shot down by enemy aircraft in defense in 1941-42 only. It is basically a commercially fitted and finished double barrel, 12 bore with a single 9.3x74mmR riffled barrel. They were cased in a metal housing with ammunition and instructions. The original green metal case has the “Drilling M30 mit Munition u. Zubehor ce” stenciled in black. The inside lid has the contents stenciled on left side in German with everything included in the survival kit. The gun comes with this original case and all original stencils and dividers but only the wood cleaning rod remains. A full kit would include a sling, RWS ammo, cleaning kit and instructions, all of which is easily obtainable except the instructions. The gun is serial no. 336761 and is stamped on the inside of frame, forend and on bottom of the barrels. It is also hand engraved on the lower outside tang by the same engravers that decorate the frame. The barrels measure 25-1/2” with all proofs and Krupps steel. The frame is a scalloped box lock, engraved and color case hardened. There is a top tang safety and a side selector and cocking indicators. The blued barrels have a solid matted rib with stamped rifle caliber, a pop up rear sight with simple bead front and some border engraving at the breech. The walnut stock has a checkered pistol grip with case colored grip cap and a single sling swivel while other swivel is mounted to underside of rifle barrel. The buttplate is black composite with Sauer logo. Gun is equipped with double set triggers and case colored trigger guard. The checkered foreand has case colored takedown housing and rear connecting block with fire blued and engraved release lever. The stocks are hand oil rubbed and the right side features the Luftwaffe Eagle with Nazi symbol in its talons. Overall, the condition is near mint as are most surviving examples. 98% plus of original blue on barrel with mirror bores with 98% brilliant case colors on frame and trigger guard. Stocks are excellent to near mint with a few minor bumps and razor sharp checkering. Case is excellent with few dings and some paint loss. The capture papers are dated May 1, 1945, and simply list “ 1 German Gun” by Don L. White, Capt. Ord. The papers do not identify this gun by make or serial number but came with the gun from the consignor as having been with this weapon since it was bought. It is not unusual since the officer in charge probably did not know what this gun was and made the paperwork simple. In any case, you have an original cased near mint Luftwaffe drilling that only needs a few accessories to be a complete and very scarce German Airforce trophy.
Accessories
metal case, cleaning rods
Manufacturer
J.P. Sauer & Sohn