A golden gun belonging to high ranking Nazi Hermann Goering will cross the block at Rock Island Auctions.
It's valued at $250,000-400,000 ahead of the September 9-11 sale.
 The gun was made for Goering in 1939 |
The Walther PPK is gold plated and engraved with a traditional German oak and acorn motif.
In addition, Goering's family crest (designed himself and featuring an arm grasping a ring) features on the handle.
It represents the nickname Der Eiseme (the Iron One), which he was given while serving as a fighter pilot during the first world war.
The auction house describes the lot as "possibly the most historic Walther factory engraved pistol that we ever offered for sale."
It's accompanied by an enormous gold ring that Goering liked to wear on special occasions.
Goering was Hitler's right hand man and was nominated as his successor in 1941.
He was convicted of war crimes at Nuremburg in 1945, but committed suicide before he could be executed.
Many of the trinkets that the upper echelons of the Nazi party had made for each other were unashamedly gaudy.
A ludicrous silver ring with a ruby encrusted swastika belonging to Adolf Hitler sold for $65,000 at Alexander Historical Auctions in 2013.
In 2015, another gold PPK (this one presented to Heinrich Himmler) realised $287,500 at Rock Island Auctions.
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about medal and militaria auctions.
