SOLD - Silver Star Recipient's Capture Grouping - Mauser Luger & M1914

Description

8/9/24 - This is a very cool WW2 veteran capture consisting of a rare G Date Mauser Luger and an Imperial Mauser Model 1914. The guns were captured by Leslie Bersch during WW2. They come with the original capture paper where they are both listed by serial on the same document! Our consignor was able to find extensive information on Bersch, who was awarded a Silver Star in 1944. Bersch was a Corporal in the 81st Chemical Mortar Battallion of Patton's Third Army, and he participated in the D-Day invasion. He was wounded by shrapnel in 1944, but refused to be evacuated and was awarded the Silver Star. The details of this event are highlighted in a newspaper clipping that is shown in the photos for this listing. He also wore five stars, was awarded the Purple Heart and Presidential Unit citation, and was one of the first men released under the point system. The listing also includes a book on the history of Bersch's division.

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The first gun is a G Date Luger issued to the Nazi military in 1935. It is all matching (except for the takedown lever, which has been replaced) and has the proper "Eagle 63" military acceptance proofs. It has retained about 93% of its finish. There is minor scratchy wear and patina on the straps and minor wear on the side plate, side rails, and around the muzzle. It comes with excellent un-numbered grips and a mismatched "Eagle 63"-marked magazine. The bore is excellent - strong rifling with very minor frosting in the grooves. The second gun is a Mauser Model 1914 that is all matching and has a small imperial proof on the stop of the slide, indicating that before WW2, this gun was issued to an officer in the Imperial German Army during WW1. It has retained somewhere between 85-90% of its original finish. Most of the wear is on the front strap where there is also some patina, but there is also wear on the chamber, on the high edges of the slide, and around the muzzle. There is an area of wear on the right side of the slide and some thinning on the top of the slide. There is some spotty oxidation on the right side of the frame. The fire blue on the trigger is mostly intact. Comes with a nice wood grip and a period-correct magazine. The bore has strong rifling with some minor oxidation in the grooves.  This is a very cool, rarely-seen capture assembly.