This is an extremely rare late production J. P. Sauer & Sohn Model 38H Heinrich Himmler sharpshooter prize presentation pistol. These highly coveted pistols were made as an award for German snipers for 100 confirmed kills during World War II, reportedly to be personally presented directly by SS leader Heinrich Himmler. 50 confirmed kills earned a leave from the front and a fancy watch, 100 confirmed kills awarded a choice of binoculars, a hunting rifle, or one of these "H. Himmler" inscribed 38H pistols, and 150 confirmed kills would earn a personal hunting trip with Himmler. There is believed to be only a handful of known Himmler sniper shooting prize Sauer 38H pistols that were captured at the end of World War II. This example is accompanied by an original bring back paper listing this pistol by serial number as brought back in a duffel bag by Private First Class Paul W. Sansone after the war on April 2, 1946. Paul W. Sansone, Jr. (March 28, 1925-September 12, 2014) of New Jersey originally enlisted with the U.S. Army on July 24, 1943, with no further details of his service located at the current time. This specific pistol falls directly into the noted range of the "H. Himmler" presentation pistols, however, it is not listed, and is fresh to the collector market as consigned directly from a relative of Paul W. Sansone, Jr. Another example of a Himmler presentation pistol with serial number 475396 (previously sold by Rock Island Auction, Lot 1553, Auction 83), one serial number off this pistol bearing serial number 475397, is pictured in the reference book "J. P Sauer & Sohns, A Historical Study of Sauer Automatic Pistols" by Jim Cate and Nico Van Gijn on page 353, with serial number 475400 also pictured on page 354 and mentioned as possibly being Himmler's personal sidearm that was captured at Himmler's mountain home near Zell am See, Austria by a member of the 101st Airborne. Page 356 of the book has a list of serial numbers of Himmler presentation pistols witnessed by the author including 475396, 475400, 475409 and 475412. Rock Island Auction also previously sold serial number 475401 (Lot 2587, Auction 70). This presentation Model 38H has the high-polish blue finish with the presentation inscription on the left side of the slide. The left side of the slide is inscribed "DEM SCHARFSCHUTZEN-" (to the sniper) followed by an engraved facsimile of the signature "H. Himmler." The right of the slide has the standard late production, two line factory legend "J.P. SAUER & SOHN, SUHL./CAL. 7.65" which is on the opposite side of standard production pistols. The pistol has checkered, black plastic grips with the encircled Sauer monogram on the left grip. The frame is serial numbered on the left below the slide serrations. It has "eagle/N" proofmarks on the right rear of the frame and slide and on the very front edge of the barrel. It comes complete with one blue finished magazine that is marked "CAL,.7.65." on the bottom of the floorplate. Provenance: Family of Paul W. Sansone, Jr

Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish with some light edge and rear gripstrap wear. The inscription and markings are sharp. The grips are also excellent with a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This historic H. Himmler inscribed Sauer 38H sniper presentation pistol, with bring back paper, would be a significant addition in any World War II German collection!