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21BZ-3 ENSEMBLE BELONGING TO LT SHAPIRO

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
21BZ-3 ENSEMBLE BELONGING TO LT SHAPIRO
All items are as is, no warranty or claims and All SALES ARE FINAL. Please examine prior to bidding as it is the bidder's responsibilty to establish condition, age, genuineness, value or any other determinative factors.
Colt Model 1911 A-1 .45 auto with holster, Serial #1164052 (D-44 on slide over #) with holster and four trunks of WWII artifacts, all belonging to Lieutenant Jerome Shapiro, who captured Reich Marshall Hermann Goring and accepted his surrender. This ensemble was displayed at Ron Lane’s Museum of World Wars for decades along with the engraved presentation Walther PPK surrendered by Goring to Shapiro, upon capture. A New York Times article dated April 10, 1968 chronicles Shapiro’s death and the fact he had captured Goring, who, having fallen out of favor with Hitler in April of 1945, was being pursued by the SS at the time. Shapiro was part of a detail ordered to guard Goring until his transfer on May 9, 1945. Also included are a registration card for Goring’s Walther, #408111K, dated 1946, issued by the State of Delaware in Shapiro’s name, photos, Shapiro’s inscribed Purple Heart, dog tags, 7 caps and his binoculars (Crown Optical). The items are packed with a Customs declaration in Shapiro’s name with his Kodak camera in case, menorah, and other memorabilia. All in a foot locker stenciled with his name and serial # with three additional lockers filled with Shapiro’s entire archive of on WWII plus his personal Jewish religious artifacts, correspondence on Goring and his experiences with the Nazi’s in WWII battles.
A book prepared by Ron Lane, owner of the Museum of World Wars details the story of Goring’s capture by Shapiro and shows Shapiro’s .45 auto with Goring’s Walther (#408111K), illustrating the .45 auto Serial #NO1164052 and slide marked D-44. The lot includes documents and a Continental typewriter by Wanderer Werke-Segmar Schonau, Germany that was Goring’s personal piece and other items in this ensemble (some which are not and went with the PPK at another point). Rarely does such a well-documented set of military artifacts with such deep supporting memorabilia (over 300 items) come to market at auction. Lt. Shapiro captured the #2 Nazi leader, who will live in infamy for the criminal acts of the 3rd Reich.
The Colt remains in very good condition retaining its original parts and 80-90% of the original finish with holster and lanyard cord. Lt. Shapiro had stellar career and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in combat, most likely while carrying this Colt. Est.: $5,000-$10,000. (C+R/PPT).