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Relief Engraved German Ernst Kerner Single Shot Falling Block Rifle with Carved Stock

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Relief Engraved German Ernst Kerner Single Shot Falling Block Rifle with Carved Stock
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Relief Engraved German Ernst Kerner Single Shot Falling Block Rifle with Carved Stock

This rifle reportedly was made for Emma Goering, Herman Goering's wife. The rifle is accompanied by a copy of an appraisal letter from Pony Express Sport Shop, Inc dated January 20, 1982 and a notarized typed letter dated August 15, 2001 from a previous owner to an individual in which the letter states that the rifle came into the writers possession about 1970 as a gift from the writers aunt. It was among items owned by the aunts deceased husband who was a doctor and died in St. Louis, Mo. In the 1960s. The doctor was a medical officer in the U.S. Army Medical Corps with the rank of Colonel from 1942 to 1945 attached to the 21st General Hospital in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France. When he returned from Europe in 1945 he brought the rifle with him and told his wife it had been made for Goering's wife. The letter also states that the rifle was appraised by Antique Roadshow in Phoenix in 1997. The letter further states that the rifle has been in the writers possession for 30 years and that the manufacturer went out of business in 1939. The top of the matte solid rib is marked "ERNST KERNER & CO. SUHL" in an oval panel. The left side of the trigger guard/lever assembly is marked "HEEREN". The assembly serves as the trigger guard and breechblock lever. A "trigger" located at the front is pushed in and the assembly drops down opening the breech and cocking the trigger. The breech end of the barrel, receiver, top of the breechblock and the trigger guard/lever are nicely engraved with relief oak leafs and acorns. In addition the sides of the receiver have a scene of a dead stag on each side, wooded on the right and a wooded lodge scene on the left. There is a brass beaded blade front sight and a fixed dovetailed rear sight, as well as integral claw mount bases. The rifle is mounted with a two piece full length Mannlicher style forearm, which separates about halfway down the forearm and a pistol grip stock with a cheekpiece and sling swivels. The wood is very nicely carved with oak leaf and acorn designs. The metal forend and grip caps are also relief engraved with oak leafs and acorns. In addition the grip cap has a gold "EG" monogram. The buttplate has a geometric engraved design with oak leafs on the heel and toe. There is a compartment in the buttstock.

Manufacture: German
Model: Single Shot
BBL: 25 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 6.5 mm
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 5785

Fine as period refurbished. The barrel retains 98% of the custom refurbished plum blue finish. The remaining metal parts have a smooth gray patina. The reoiled wood is very good with some scattered minor dents, handling marks and some minor chips at the action. The forward portion of the forearm is loose. The carving is sharp. The engraving is also sharp and the markings crisp and clear. The action is fine. Additional Information: Note this beautiful rifle has had the barrel relined and it is now chambered for an unknown 6.5 mm cartridge.