This is an example of a pre-war elaborately factory engraved Nazi presentation double rifle manufactured by the Berlin-Suhler Waffen und Fahrzeugwerke (BSW) factory circa 1936/37. This exceptional rifle was presented by Fritz Sauckel, Gauleiter of Thuringen (from 1927-45) to Hinrich Lohse, who was the Gauleiter of Schleswig-Holstein (from 1925-45). Fritz Sauckel was an early Nazi Party member, joining in 1921, very powerful Gauleiter during WWII and was a favorite of Hitler throughout WWII. He was tried at Nuremberg, found guilty of Nazi war crimes and crimes against humanity, and hanged in 1946. The history of the BSW company has always been clouded in controversy. The company was original started in the late 1800s, as the Simson and Company, Suhl Germany. They were a smaller producer of weapons and replacement parts both prior to and after WWI. After the rise of the Nazi regime in 1933 the company was confiscated and some equipment used to manufacture Luger parts were sent to the new Mauser factory with the remaining equipment designated for making sporting/hunting rifles and shotguns. The company was renamed the BSW company and did make K98 rifles during the war. This rifle features full master level deluxe engraving that covers 95% of the receiver, upper tang and trigger guard bow. The engraving itself is beautifully executed and features an extremely tight English scroll type engraving with a beautifully executed geometric pattern on all the borders and edges. All the main and locking screw heads are properly indexed and also beautifully engraved. Both sides of the receiver are deep relief engraved that depict game scenes of a pair of European Boars in a woodland scene on the left side and a pair of European Red Stags in a woodland scene on the right side. The underside is marked "BSW" in an oval. Both barrels are chambered in 7X57mm and the top barrel has a solid matte finish sighting rib with a set of factory installed double claw bases. Each side of the upper breech end of the barrel is factory inscribed "BSW" circled by "BERLIN SHULER WAFFEN UND FAHRZEUGWERKE" and "SUHL". The lower breech area of the left barrel is marked "7 X 57 R" and the matching serial number "42220" is stamped on the underside of the bottom barrel, the left side of the lug, the left edge of the receiver and inside the forend hanger assembly. Equipped with an original factory installed Zeiss "Zielklein" small/target scope. The top of the scope body is correctly marked "CARL ZEISS/JENA/ Zielklein/Nr.55481" and includes the original leather scope covers. Mounted with a multi-point checkered European walnut three piece forearm and pistol grip stock with an oval cheekpiece, solid recoil pad, sling swivel and grip cap inscribed in old German: "Kg. Gauleiter Lohse/gewidmet zum julfest/1937/(signed) Fritz Sauckel"; loosely translated "Presented/Dedicated to Gauleiter Lohse during the winter festival of 1937 by Fritz Sauckel". Comes with an article on the Simson family and history of the factory. The original horn buttplate was removed and an American White-Line rubber pad has been added to the butt, however the length of pull is still 14 1/4 inches so it doesn't appear to have been shortened.

Extremely fine. The barrel retains 98% of the original rust blue finish. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth gray patina. The wood is also very fine retaining almost all of the varnish and showing a few minor dents and dings, and crisp checkering. The markings and engraving (including the inscription) are crisp and clear. The scope retains 95% blue finish with clear optics. An exceptional example of a scarce pre-war factory engraved Fritz Sauckel Nazi presentation BSW double rifle.