April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms

All > Firearms > Shotguns-Modern > Drilling/Combination Gun

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019

Serial number 21158. Caliber 12 gauge, 12 gauge X 8x75R, 8x75R X 8x75R. 28-1/4" over/under shotgun barrels, 25-1/2" rifle/shotgun barrels, and 26" double rifle barrels, are all of demi-bloc construction, Bohler steel, and are engraved “Gebruder Merkel Suhl” and “Suhler Waffenwerk” on breech ends, with some floral engraving. All are stamped with Suhl nitro proofs with date of August 1933. Rear lumps are stamped with Merkel logos. Double shotgun and rifle/shotgun barrels have full length solid matted ribs, and double rifle barrels have matted quarter rib and matted front sight base. Quarter rib of rifle barrels are fitted with three claw scope bases and a single standing U-notch rear sight. Rifle/shotgun barrels have two claw bases and a rear sight which can be flipped up for rifle use. Sling loops are soldered to bottoms of bottom barrels. Coin finished ogee backed Blitz double Kersten over/under action features non-automatic top tang safety (S inlaid in gold), pin type cocking indicators, and double triggers (front set). Action is engraved with near full coverage nicely cut simple scroll with some floral highlights on bottom surrounding well rendered game scenes as typical quarry for this combination gun; a roaring stag and two hinds in woodland are on left, with a roe deer and doe in foreground on right side; a pair of mallards flush from marsh in background. Reinforcing bolsters are exceptionally well relief engraved in acorn and oak leaves. Bottom of action is engraved “SUHLER WAFFENWERK” “D. R. P” “GEBRUDER MERKEL SUHL”. Steel trigger guard has more scroll on bow surrounding semi-relief engraved vignette of auerhahn calling while perched on branch. Serial number is on tang. Well marbled and lightly fiddle figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over beaded rib embossed horn buttplate with Merkel logo. Forends are of three piece design, with one bottom piece with ejector and Deeley release, servicing all three barrel sets. Bottom rear of this forend has inlet silver circle with high relief rendering of Goering’s well known crest, having raised mailed fist holding a ring. This is surmounted by a knight’s helm with surrounding acanthus scroll. Above the helm is another mailed fist flanked by wings signifying the Luftwaffe. Although not specified on ledger page, this crest plate has been in place for a very long time, as the amount of wear visible including continuation of scratches, grime, etc. is entirely commensurate with the remainder of gun. OU Shotgun: Bore diameter: top -.729, bottom – .729. Bore restrictions: top – .042 (full), bottom – .027 (mod). Wall thickness: top – .024, bottom – .021. Drop at heel: 3-1/16", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Cast 1/4" off. Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Rifle/ Shotgun BBLS: Bore diameter: top -.728. Bore restrictions: top – .046 (extra full)). Wall thickness: top – .023. Drop at heel: approx 3-3/16", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". DBL RIFLE BBLS: Drop at heel: approx 3-1/4", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight without scope: 8 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". This system comes with three scopes, all by Zeiss, with a 2-1/2 X Zielmar with crosshair and post reticle fitted to the rifle/shotgun barrels; with a Zielvier with three post and small central dot reticle, as well as a Zielsechs with same reticle fitted to double rifle barrels. It is interesting to note that the Zielvier is the only scope mentioned on the ledger page, and is listed by serial number. (There are some indecipherable later notes relating to telescopes.) Brown leather case with riveted on brass corners and central brass rectangle is lined in bluish green cloth, and has leather Merkel label in lid, and has correct partitions for each barrel set, action, and all three telescopes. Accessories include high quality green canvas and leather sling, and some cleaning brushes. There is also a yellow box of DWM 8x57R cartridges. PROVENANCE: Color scan of original ledger page with original specifications with red ink notation “Herman Goering” and with date 1933 outlined in red. Letter from Dick A. King, Col USA Retd to Mr. A. J. Flood in which he states “Mr. Grover Wilson of the Zellerbach Paper Co, Spokane, Wash. who was G-2 of the 3rd Infantry Division and I, as G-4, obtained all of Herman Goering’s guns in his home in the village of Berchtesgaden. It was quite an experience as Emma, Herman’s wife was there at the time. Since Grover was more interested in his cameras, liquor, etc; I naturally spent my time with the guns. I gave two to Maj. Gen Iron Mike O-Daniel commanding the division, Wilson has two, Iron Mike gave one to Gen. Eisenhower and one to Lt Gen Ham Haislip. I gave one to Charles E. Johnson who was chief of staff, and I kept the best 5.” “This combination was the only one with the English box leather fitted case, and by far the most valuable, as well as being Herman Goering’s favorite.” Orig “Certificate” relating to shipping of this combination gun and scopes back to US. Description of this rifle and appraisal value by R. L. Wilson. Various invoices and auction listings pertaining to this gun. Hand written note from past owner Hunter Von Leer relating his knowledge of the history of this gun, as well as a GUNS magazine article entitled “The Guns of Hunter Von Leer” where this gun is pictured and described. Encyclopedia Britannica information on Herman Goering, and a picture of Herman Goering carrying a rifle similar to this one. Various photographs of this rifle and some background information of Hunter Von Leer. Ex collections: Lt. Col. Dick A. King to Mr. A. J. Flood to Hunter Von Leer to Cherry’s to Richard “Stretch” Kennedy and through Amoskeag Auction Co to present consignor? CONDITION: Excellent, original, as found. Barrels retain over 90% original blue, with most wear noticeable on double rifle barrels. Action retains most of its original French grey, pleasingly silvered on high edges. Top lever retains over 90% of its blue, silvered on checkered thumbpiece. Trigger guard retains 30–40% of its original blue, silvered and thinned on bow, considerably so on tang. Stocks retain most of their original hand rubbed oil finish with some dings and marks, some fairly deep, checkering somewhat worn, especially on left side of forend, undoubtedly from when rifle was carried slung over one shoulder. All bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors work well, as does set trigger. Scopes are fine retaining approx 70% of their original blue. Zielmar is a bit better. Optics are relatively clear. Case leather has some stains and many marks along with some tape marks. Strap and handle are good, but a bit tender. Interior cloth has many compressions and rubs, some through in barrel channels. One or two partitions have been restored with bright green cloth. Leather label is considerably rubbed at bottom left. Accessories are good. CORRECTION: Serial No. 21158

Bidding Current Bidding Minimum Bid: $37,500.00 Final prices include buyers premium: Estimate: $75,000 - $100,000 Number Bids: 1	Auction closed on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

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