Manufactured in February of 1940, this is a rare World War II German Luftwaffe marked J.P. Sauer & Sohn over/under 12 gauge shotgun, with the Luftwaffe eagle stamped on the right side breech area of the upper barrel and also on the right of the buttstock. The amount of these made is unconfirmed, and this shotgun was possibly intended as a gift by Hermann Goering to an officer, ace pilot or high ranking individual of the Luftwaffe. Hermann Goering was known to have rewarded individuals for their loyalty with guns, such as one like this, and hunting trips at his lodge. It may have also been used for trap shooting, which was an obligatory exercise to sharpen the eyes and reflexes of the Luftwaffe fighter pilots. This rare over/under shotgun may be a precursor to the Luftwaffe contract J.P. Sauer & Sohn M30 survival drillings, of which 2,500 were manufactured a year later in 1941. Rock Island Auction Company previously sold a similarly Luftwaffe marked Merkel over/under shotgun (Auction 89, Lot 3366), differing from this J.P. Sauer & Sohn manufactured example. This is the only example of a J.P. Sauer & Sohn manufactured Luftwaffe marked over/under shotgun known to have been sold by Rock Island Auction Company. The barrel assembly beneath the forearm is marked with the matching serial number "294295", the J.P. Sauer & Sohn logo, "12/70m/m" along with an "eagle/N" firing proof, "Suhl" above a logo and "240" (February 1940) date code. Matching serial number "295" marked inside the forend attaching iron. Solid rib barrels with a single front bead. Scalloped action with Kersten cross-bolt, double triggers, and a manual tang safety. The stock and forearm are of finely checkered first grade European walnut, with a hard rubber buttplate. Includes period photographs of Luftwaffe officers and a pilot handling a similar shotgun to the one being offered. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): chambers marked 2 3/4 inches; bore diameter nine inches from the breech .725/.724 inches; choke constriction .010/.021 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.034 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 7 oz. Provenance: The Thomas Whiteman Collection

Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus original blue finish on the barrel with a few light handling marks, and 40% vivid original case colors showing on the frame with areas fading to smooth gray patina on the balance, and some surface freckling on the triggers. Trigger guard is refinished. Wood is fine as lightly sanded and refinished, with a faint Luftwaffe eagle stamp visible on the right of the buttstock, a few scattered light scratches and handling marks, a few small cracks visible in the front tip of the forearm, and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. This exceptionally rare World War II German Luftwaffe marked J.P. Sauer & Sohn over/under shotgun would make a very fine addition to any German military arms collection!