This an example of a pre-war Anschutz marked 9mm bolt action single shot shotgun and Hitler Youth knife as captured/brought back from WWII by PFC Howard Williams. Also listed in this auction (not with this lot) is a very rare/desirable factory engraved Walther PPK that was also brought back by PFC. Williams, which he captured from a high ranking officer during WWII at the time of the battle for Aschaffenburg Germany in Mar/April 1945. PFC Williams was a native Iowan and lived in the Cedar Rapids area both before and after the war. His wartime enlistment record indicates he entered the U.S. Army in Jul 1944, served as a light mortar crewman and was honorably discharged in Feb 1946. During his service time he was awarded two bronze stars and one Purple Heart. The top of the barrel in front of the rear sight is marked "J.G. ANSCHUTZ Germainiawafenwerks A.G. Zella-Mehlis Thur" and behind the sight it is marked "Original -JGA-Karabiner" with the left rear side marked "Cal. 9m/m glatt" with the top of the chamber marked with the circled "JGA" Anschutz logo. It has a bead front sight blade with a notch rear sight that is adjustable for windage. It is fitted with a light European walnut stock with a checkered pistol grip area and a flat steel buttplate. This shotgun comes with 28 original Winchester rimfire shotgun shells. Also accompanying this shotgun is an original WWII "Hitler Youth" knife that was made by the "J.A. Henckels" company with the original metal sheath. The left side of the blade is marked with the "Twins Logo" next to "J.S. HENCKELS SOLIGEN/ ZWILLINGSWERK/GES. GESCHUTZT". The right side of the blade is correctly marked "Blunt Und Ehre!". The black plastic handle has the correct original small Hitler Youth Diamond insignia inset on the right side. The metal sheath still has the original leather belt loop attached, the back side has the small makers logo of "L.F.S./Oak Leaf" stamped into the leather. Also accompanying this lot is a copy of a letter that PFC Howard sent home during the war (which notes this small shotgun) along with copies of pages from the "Bowie Blade" a wartime newspaper that was published by Camp Bowie, Tx that chronicled some of the accomplishments of the 157th Infantry regiment. Specifically listing the battle for Aschaffenburg, in Bavarian Germany in early April 1945, (which the family indicated may have been the time when the pistol was actually surrendered to PFC Williams), as well as copies of local newspaper articles detailing one of PFC Williams heroic events, where he "threw-back" a German hand grenade to save himself and his men.

Very fine (shotgun). The shotgun retains 95% original blue finish with light spotting and a couple small areas of mild pitting on top of the barrel. The stock is very fine overall with minor handling marks. The Hitler youth knife is good with a faint blade etching, with spotting and signs of actual use with the edge of the blade showing some sharpening. The handles showing even honest wear overall with the Hitler youth insignia intact. The sheath has lost almost all of it's black paint. A couple of unique wartime trophies with documentation.