Lot 650

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Description:


Hunting rifle and shotgun combination ("drilling") once owned and used by German Field Marshal Hugo Sperrle. The firearm bears combination 16 gauge side-by-sides and a 9.3 x 72R rifle barrel, so marked on either side of the latch when gun is broken. The left side of the barrel is marked: "PRIMA FLUSS STAHL" but no maker's name is evident. The number "34" also appears beneath the receiver. The barrel breaks by means of lowering a lever beneath the trigger guard, and a rifle/shotgun selector switch is fitted on top, just behind the end of the barrels which measure 27 1/8 inches. This was meant to be a true "working" firearm: the side plates and hammers are nondescript, and the bottom sides of the receiver and the top rib of the barrels are only simply engraved. The stock bears the standard checkering one sees in firearms of the time. The rear of the stock bears a cheek rest and butt plate, and both the fore stock and rear are free of cracks, though bear some scratches and minor dents. Two triggers are fitted, one with a tension adjusting screw. When disassembled and the forestock is removed, many proof marks are evident (see photos). The owner's name "SPERRLE", about one inch long, was burned into the stock and inked black long ago as it was the habit of the Field Marshal to personalize all of his important personal possessions. This firearm was recovered by Sgt. Rollo G. Rice, Co. E, 506th P.I.R., 101st Airborne, a late 1944 replacement and apparently attached to a headquarters company. Co. E is one of the most notable groups of soldiers of World War II, made famous in the book "A Band of Brothers" and the television series of the same name. Rice was with the 506th at Berchtesgaden. He may have obtained his Sperrle relics at Sperrle's residence near Munich while en route to Berchtesgaden, or perhaps at the office of Gen. KARL BODENSCHATZ, who served as Adjutant to Field Marshal Hermann Goring. Rice's very early post-war map of the area about the Berghof (copy and photos included) shows Bodenschatz's office circled. As Sperrle had to flee Paris only hours before the arrival of the French and American liberators, and in light of the fact that his own home was in the path of American invaders, he may have elected to hide his possessions with his close fellow officer in the mountains of Bavaria. Our consignor purchased the Sperrle lots nearly a decade ago from Rice's widow, who confirmed their provenance. Our consignor's letter of provenance is included. See similar lots in this sale for additional provenance. HUGO SPERRLE (1885-1953) German Field Marshal in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Sperrle joined the Imperial German Army in 1903. He served in the artillery upon the outbreak of World War I and then joined the Luftstreitkr�fte. He was given command of the Condor Legion in November 1936 and his force became known for their ruthless bombing of towns and cities. Sperrle was used during the Anschluss and Czech crisis by the Nazis to threaten other governments with bombardment. With the invasion of Poland, Sperrle played a crucial role in the Battle of France and Battle of Britain, and in 1941 he directed operations during The Blitz. Through 1941-43 he became more involved in air defense, until his forces were depleted. His meager squadrons were totally ineffective in Normandy, and he was dismissed.

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July 14, 2020 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000