Product Details
WIRNHIER SPEZIAL JAGD 67
A MATCHED PAIR OF 12-BORE DETACHABLE TRIGGERPLATE-ACTION OVER AND UNDER EJECTORS, serial no. 57982 / 57997,
27 5/8in. (70cm) nitro barrels with 10mm ventilated matt top-ribs with intermediate bead sights and gold-inlaid '1' and '2', 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. 1/2 and 1/4 choke, Italian proofed, hold-open toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties, detachable triggerplate actions, non-selective single triggers, fine acanthus scroll engraving, the triggerguards relief engraved and gold-inlaid 'H.G.W.', No.2 gun triggerplate signed 'A. POLI', bright finish overall, 14in. figured pistolgrip stocks including 7/8in. leather covered recoil pads, weight 7lb. 5oz. (No.1) and 7lb. 2oz. (No.2), in a lightweight leather case
Provenance: These shotguns are the property of Hans Günter Winkler, the iconic German show jumper.
Winkler was born in 1926 in Wuppertal-Barmen to a reputable riding instructor. He served in World War II, being called-up in 1939 to join the crew of a flak battery before becoming a full soldier in 1944. He ended the war in American captivity and, on being released, found his way back to Frankfurt and his mother. Like many of his fellow countrymen in post-war Germany, Winkler was unsure of his future and it was only his appointment in the accounting offices of Kronberg Castle that was to set him on his equestrian path again. The castle had been able to keep a large number of top class horses and so it was that Winkler was able to get back in the saddle and hone his already prodigious skill as a horseman.
An amalgam of practice and natural ability came to bear fruit for the first time in 1955 when he won the World Show Jumping Championships at Aachen astride his beloved mare "Halla". In his long career he went on to win five Olympic Gold medals, one Silver and one Bronze as well as numerous other world, European and national events. Winkler remains the most successful show jumper of all time even though it is now 23 years since he retired from competitive riding.
Away from the arena, two of Winkler's passions are Koi carp and game shooting. He has now retired from the latter and so it is that his shotguns are now being offered for sale.
Estimate £4,000-6,000
THE ABOVE LOT WILL REQUIRE THE BUYER TO PRODUCE A RELEVANT BRITISH SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE OR REGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER LICENCE BEFORE IT MAY BE RELEASED.