Lot Nr.611

Werner Mölders - a fine over-and-under double-barrelled rifle,

Merkel of Suhl, model 1928. Calibre 8 x 75 RS, no. 16317. Both bores bright, barrels marked on the side "Böhler Antinit", beside it trader's name "W. Glaser Zürich". Suhl frog mount, gold-plated ejectors. Side locks (with partly gold-plated mechanism) can be removed without any tool. Frame and bolt plates carry extremely high-grade, deeply cut vine engraving. On the bottom side manufacturer's name in gold inlay "Suhler Waffenwerk - Gebrüder Merkel Suhl". Gold-plated triggers with hair trigger. Beautifully grained walnut stock with fine checkering. Engraved iron furniture. Later rubber butt cap, replaced vacant silver thumb plate. Length 107 cm.
Comes with a contemporary, but presumably not belonging leather case with manufacturer's name of Waffenfabrik Schiwy, Berlin. The lid carries the embossed monogram "A. M.". Dimension: 71 x 22 cm.
According to the consignor this weapon is a present from Hermann Göring to Luftwaffe Colonel Werner Mölders, winner of the Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds. After a joint hunting trip in the autumn of 1940 Göring presented both Galland and Mölders at Christmas with a Merkel luxury side-by-side shotgun. At his own request Mölders received a weapon in 8 x 75 R calibre. As the weapons were not available in Germany on short notice they were bought from Swiss arms dealer Glaser of Zürich via Schiwy, Berlin.
Göring's almost identical weapon is well-known and was extendedly covered in DWJ 11/2004. The other identical weapon of Adolf Galland is still kept in a private collection.
Erwerbsscheinpflichtig.

Condition: I-II

Limit: 25000 EURO

28400 EURO