GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT FUNK 7x64 MM GEWEHR 98 HUNTING RIFLE WITH JUNG PRISMATIC SIGHT.FUNKGEWEHR 98373257X64 MMMODERN; IMPORTCal. 7x64 mm. Deluxe Christoph Funk, Suhl sporting rifle based on an unusual Bayard manufactured G98 action (Bayard mounted knight Trade Mark stamped under receiver ring) and fitted with a rare Jung prismatic telescopic sight. This unique rifle includes written, signed affidavit provenance from 1973 from former owner, English Government Minister Sir Geoffrey Shakespeare, Baronet,(1893 - 1980) confirming original ownership by Rudolph Hess (Deputy Führer of Nazi Party to Adolf Hitler 1933 - 1941) who sold it to Sir Geoffrey Shakespeare when visiting Munich in 1935 in his capacity than as a British Government Health Minister. Exquisite sporter bears Funk triangular logo on top of receiver. Exhibits decorative engraving at base of bbl, trigger guard screws, and checkered turn-down bolt handle. Sporter bbl has checkered rib, flip-up two-position rear sporter sight and is marked "CHRISTOPH FUNK SUHL" as well as "BOHLER ANTINIT" with six-pointed star logo indicating manufacture from high quality Bohler stainless steel. Stock is numbered 325 on forend and has shotgun style fore-end push-button takedown latch on bottom. Double set triggers and decorated quick magazine release. Hard rubber decorative buttplate and endcap. Additional push-button release flip-up aperture sight machined into top rear tang. Rifle has short siderail on left rear fitted from underneath the receiver to mount a micro-adjustable, three-post reticle Jung prismatic telescopic sight which locks in place with simple lever. Also includes correct and authentic rubber forehead piece, necessary as a recoil buffer since the Jung scope has very short eye-relief. The Jung sight was designed and patented, (copy Patents included with Lot) in the late 1920s with improvements in the 1930s, by Dr Karl Jung, an optician and Nazi politician (Reichstag deputy) from Munich. He used his party connection extensively to promote this sight to the military, and it was eventually tested by the Luftwaffe in 1943 during the Tarnewitz trials of the FG42 and was adapted to the K98k by Mauser for a Herreswaffenamt trial in 1944. Both found the sight unserviceable, and examples are consequently very rare today. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess; Christies, London sale 1985; Weller & Dufty, Birmingham sale 11273, Nov 1978 (catalog entry copies included). CONDITION: Bore is good to very good with strong lands and grooves. Bluing is 97% with some light scratches to bottom bbl, bottom trigger guard and wear on high edges. 43475-901 DW50 (12,500-17,500)