It is not often that a sporting arm has a pedigree so rare that it takes your breath away, and this is one of those times. This double rifle was built for and in the personal collection of one of Adolf Hitler's inner circle, Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring. Goring is known to have been an avid hunter and maintained two separate hunting lodges, Emmyhall in Eastern Prussia named for his second wife Emmy Sonnemann, who was a prominent figure in her own right as "First Lady of the Third Reich", as well as his more well known lodge Carinhall north-east of Berlin named for his first wife Carin. As a leader in the National Socialist party, Goring robbed many treasures from across Europe and stored them at Carinhall as part of his personal collection. This collection included artwork, gold, and all manner of valuables, including fine arms such as this rifle. Goring's appreciation for sporting arms extended to his role as head of the Luftwaffe, where he was directly involved in the issuing of the M30 Survival Drillings to aircraft crews, unarguably the finest survival arm ever to see military service, and one of which is available in this sale Lot 1377. Included with the lot are two letters from Philip Schreier, curator at the National Rifle Association's National Firearms Museum attesting to the authenticity of the rifle, in which he states "It is my opinion that this is not only a genuine double rifle originally chambered in .405 WCF but that it is most certainly the former property of Hermann Goring.", and this writer is certainly in agreement with Mr. Schreier. This rifle was built with blued steel barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight and a two leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sight on the matted flat solid rib, "J. BURY" and "ARQ SIER A LIEGE" marked on the right and left respectively, light band of engraving at the breech, pre-occupation Belgian proofs on the flats, front sling stud, and chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened boxlock action which displays border engraving as well as star bursts around the bolts and Goring's coat of arms, a golden shield with an armored arm grasping a ring inlaid into the triggerguard bow. The rifle features double triggers (front articulated), bushed gas checked firing pins, and a tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid "S" safety indicator. The rifle is fitted with an attractively figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and Anson button release as well as a round knob pistol grip stock with tear drop carved drop points, rear sling swivel, and a rubber recoil pad. Included with the rifle is a bottle of G. H. Mumm & Co. 1934 vintage Gordon Rouge champagne, also from Goring's extensive collection. Per the consignor, this champagne was purchased from the collection of Colonel Jack Novak, who served as a pilot during World War II and brought this bottle home as a trophy after the conclusion of the war. Length of pull 14 11/16 inches. Weight 7 lbs. 8 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and casehardened finishes with minor handling evidence, some minor muting in areas on the action, a few minor scratches on the wood, and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The champagne bottle is fine with most of the contents absent. This is possibly a once in a lifetime chance to own one of Hermann Goring's personal sporting arms, do not let this chance pass you by!