German Martini action single shot target rifle (Schuetzen), built for a prominent German Jewish businessman (Otto Oppenheimer) from Bruchsal, Germany, who fled from there to Switzerland in 1938, and made his way to the United States in 1941. The rifle was manufactured in 1928 by gunmaker "Jos Maier" in Bruchsal, Germany (identified on the top of the barrel), with the date, serial number, various German proof marks (BUG marks), and caliber under the barrel covered by the forearm. A two-inch silver plate is screwed to the left of the rear stock, which states "Otto Oppenheimer, Bruchsal". The serial number "1838" is present on the underside of the barrel, with no other numbers present on other components, something which is not unusual for a small gunmaker. The barrel retains approximately 90% of its original blued finish, and the receiver, trigger guard assembly, rear tang, and butt plate retain 70-75% of its original case hardened finish, which is faint in some areas, and with patina and light freckling. No import marks. The heavy octagonical target barrel has an era sling swivel mounted to it, and the standard German front sight blade was replaced by an early post-WWII Redfield globe front sight with insert. The rear diopter sight assembly is of high quality, fully functional, with the sight disc having several adjustable aperture settings, adjusted by a finger wheel on the right side. The sight adjustment post has graduations for both 175 and 300 meters; the standard German target rifle distances for that era. Trigger guard pivots down to cock the rifle, with both triggers (set and release triggers) functional as this rifle has recently been fired in matches. Forearm and buttstock are made from a high quality dark walnut, with checkering on the grip and under the forearm. Rear stock has the Tyrolean style of an exaggerated cheek piece. Stock has a number of shallow dings, but is in excellent condition. Standard Schuetzen butt plate is attached. Consignor has provided a number of documents in German and English with a biography of Otto Oppenheimer, the fact that Germany renamed a square in his home town after him in 2011, and the story of how Oppenheimer's grandson became one of the "Monument's Men", famous for locating artwork stolen by the Third Reich and returning them to their rightful owners. CONDITION: Overall excellent condition. Blued surfaces are at 90%, and case hardened surfaces are 70-75%. Very light freckling on the receiver block, mainly on the lower areas. Wood furniture is excellent, bore is shiny, and rifle is mechanically sound. WEZ Name Value Accessories Barrel Length 29 - 1/2" Caliber/Bore 8.15x46R Drop at Comb Drop at Heel FFL Status Curio & Relic Length of Pull Manufacturer Jos Maier Model Martini Schutzen Paperwork Biography of original owner Serial Number 1838 Weight
German Martini action single shot target rifle (Schuetzen), built for a prominent German Jewish businessman (Otto Oppenheimer) from Bruchsal, Germany, who fled from there to Switzerland in 1938, and made his way to the United States in 1941. The rifle was manufactured in 1928 by gunmaker "Jos Maier" in Bruchsal, Germany (identified on the top of the barrel), with the date, serial number, various German proof marks (BUG marks), and caliber under the barrel covered by the forearm. A two-inch silver plate is screwed to the left of the rear stock, which states "Otto Oppenheimer, Bruchsal". The serial number "1838" is present on the underside of the barrel, with no other numbers present on other components, something which is not unusual for a small gunmaker. The barrel retains approximately 90% of its original blued finish, and the receiver, trigger guard assembly, rear tang, and butt plate retain 70-75% of its original case hardened finish, which is faint in some areas, and with patina and light freckling. No import marks. The heavy octagonical target barrel has an era sling swivel mounted to it, and the standard German front sight blade was replaced by an early post-WWII Redfield globe front sight with insert. The rear diopter sight assembly is of high quality, fully functional, with the sight disc having several adjustable aperture settings, adjusted by a finger wheel on the right side. The sight adjustment post has graduations for both 175 and 300 meters; the standard German target rifle distances for that era. Trigger guard pivots down to cock the rifle, with both triggers (set and release triggers) functional as this rifle has recently been fired in matches. Forearm and buttstock are made from a high quality dark walnut, with checkering on the grip and under the forearm. Rear stock has the Tyrolean style of an exaggerated cheek piece. Stock has a number of shallow dings, but is in excellent condition. Standard Schuetzen butt plate is attached. Consignor has provided a number of documents in German and English with a biography of Otto Oppenheimer, the fact that Germany renamed a square in his home town after him in 2011, and the story of how Oppenheimer's grandson became one of the "Monument's Men", famous for locating artwork stolen by the Third Reich and returning them to their rightful owners. CONDITION: Overall excellent condition. Blued surfaces are at 90%, and case hardened surfaces are 70-75%. Very light freckling on the receiver block, mainly on the lower areas. Wood furniture is excellent, bore is shiny, and rifle is mechanically sound. WEZ Name Value Accessories Barrel Length 29 - 1/2" Caliber/Bore 8.15x46R Drop at Comb Drop at Heel FFL Status Curio & Relic Length of Pull Manufacturer Jos Maier Model Martini Schutzen Paperwork Biography of original owner Serial Number 1838 Weight
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
