As a Jew who lost his family in the Holocaust, I’m not about to have any Nazi memorabilia in my house. As an American, I’m not going to oppose anyone who does, for whatever reason. As long as they remain inside the law, what business is it of mine? The question is: would you buy this gun? If someone gave it to you, would you keep it? Here’s the description from rockislandauctions.com:
This is an attractive example of possibly the most historic Walther factory engraved pistol that we have ever offered for sale.
Obviously Hermann Goering needs no introduction to anyone, as he was well-known; an early WWI German fighter ace, he later joined the Nazi party and rose to the rank of Field Marschall of the German Luftwaffe.
He survived the war, was tried and convicted at the Nuremburg war trials in 1946, but he escaped the hangman’s noose by taking poison just before he was to be sent to the gallows. He was an extremely close confidant of Adolf Hitler and was considered to be in Hitler’s inner-circle for most of the war.
This phenomenal pistol was manufactured in 1939 and shows 98% plus of the exquisite engraving on all the metal surfaces. The engraving is of the highest quality that can only be done by a master factory engraver, obviously intended for a senior Nazi Party member of Hermann Goering’s rank.
It consists of the traditional deep chiseled relief Germanic oak leaf and acorn type engraving with a very fine stippled background. Each section of the pistol has been divided up into different engraving blocks or sections with the oak leaf and acorn type engraving inside each block meticulously done and certainly the quality level meets and exceeds any engraving performed in the U.S. at this time.
The left side of the slide is only marked with the larger “WALTHER” inside a banner and no other markings. The right side of the slide and front edge of the barrel has a single “crown/N” firing proof and no other markings giving the engraver the entire metal surface of the pistol to execute his skill. It has also been fitted with a very unique three-piece set of factory carved grips.
The grips are separate grip panels on each side with a one-piece, center back strap, obviously intended to ensure that the grips did not warp or crack. All three pieces have been beautifully carved in a matching traditional Germanic oak leaf and acorn pattern with the same matching beaded border.
The left grip has been inset with a larger set of gold initials of “HG”, and the right side has also been inset with a separate, gold plated and engraved “WALTHER” inside a banner.
In the middle of the right grip the Goering family crest has also been inset. The family crest was designed by Hermann Goering after WWI, and consists of a armored fist holding a large ring, which was intended to represent the nickname he used during WWI, which was “Der Eiseme” or the “Iron One”. It is complete with an original Walther marked, gold plated magazine that has been fitted with a finger extension base plate.
These patterns are very similar to several of the special order engraved Walthers shown in “Walther Volume II, Engraved, Presentation and Standard Walther Pistols” by Rankin, only this example is of the highest quality possible provided by the Walther factory.
The serial number is stamped on the right side of the frame, but it is not scratched on the inside of the slide for the obvious reason is that no engraver would misplace or mix up a superb pistol such as this.
It is also accompanied by one of Hermann Goering large gold rings that he is often seen wearing during party rallies and special presentations. The ring is huge, measuring 7/8th by 1 inch across the flat. It is also engraved with his Field Marschall seal and family crest in the middle.
Inside the ring, it is engraved “Von Deinen/Alten Kameraden” 10.4.1935.H.R.”, meaning “from your old friend”. The ring is also hallmarked inside “.750” and is stamped with a maker’s mark of “KB”.
This lot also includes a set of gold plated cuff-links that have the same Field Marschall seal and family crest on top, as well as the same hallmark and maker’s mark on the back side. The ring and cufflinks are all stored in a small blue felt box that is marked inside the lid with “Wehrrmueller/Jewelers”.
