From the Vault: Hermann Göring Presentation Mauser Rifle

Brownells Gun Techs Steve and Keith are back at Rock Island Auction House, this time to show us a Mauser rifle. But not just any old Mauser. This is a very custom Mauser 98 sporter given by commander of the Nazi Luftwaffe, Hermann Göring, to Franz Gürtner, the Third Reich's Minister of Justice, as a Christmas gift in 1940. Despite its connection to two of the most unsavory figures in history, the gun itself is a remarkable example the art and craft of gunsmithing. It has just about every custom feature a Mauser 98 of that era could have: detachable fixed-power scope, color case-hardened receiver, double-set triggers, express rear sight, full-length matted barrel rib, a drilling-style safety, lever-released floorplate, flat engraved-checkered bolt handle, horn grip cap, and a popup cheekpiece. It is also a takedown rifle: flip open the levers the forearm, and the whole barrel assembly comes off so it'll stow neatly in the trunk of your Mercedes for the trip to your hunting lodge. Keith and Steve also share a little history on how this amazing Mauser made its from Germany to Rock Island, Illinois. The rifle's original recipient didn't have long to enjoy it; Gürtner died on January 29, 1941.

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