It is believed that Krieghoff offered Neptune Drillings to Göring and Hitler at this time. Heinrich Krieghoff was in Sewanee, Germany, where he demonstrated a gas-operated rifle to Adolph Hitler, Hermann Göring, Rudolf Hess and Paul von Hindenberg, possibly to gain favor for a military contract, which he received the following year to produce 10,000 Luger pistols. The bottom of the trigger guard is where the initials are located. The serial number, 15450, indicates that the gun was made in 1931 and then sent to a master engraver to embellish the gun to its current condition. The gun metal is ornate, featuring high-relief engravings depicting woodlands with deer. The engraved Krieghoff Neptune variation combines a double-barrel, 12-gauge shotgun with an 8×57 JR-caliber rifle barrel. This style of shotgun, known as a Drilling, is uniquely German. As depicted in the miniseries, this is where the real boys of the 101st found a treasure trove of war souvenirs, and this is where the story of our shotgun – engraved with the initials A.H. There, Nazi leaders had a getaway resort where they could enjoy an opulent lifestyle away from the public eye.

Towards the end of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, the soldiers of the 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne, are sent to Hitler’s “ Eagles Nest” retreat in the Bavarian Alps. Is it Really Hitler’s Shotgun? Story and photographs by the team at Legacy Collectibles

Krieghoff serial number to year