Cowan's Auctions' Historic Firearms and Militaria sale has seen a Kreighoff Waffenfrabrik FG42 German paratrooper gun sell with outstanding results in Cincinnati.
 Armed with the deadly FG42, German paratroopers became known as the Green Devils to Allied soldiers |
The gun led a strong selection of Class III weapons on October 22-23, realising $143,750 against a $75,000-100,000 estimate - a 43.7% increase.
The FG42 is hailed as one of the most advanced weapons used in the second world war. It was produced in very small numbers specifically for use by the Fallschirmjäger airbourne infantry in 1942.
Just 2,000 FG42s were issued to troops before the manganese steel employed in the guns was diverted for use elsewhere in the war effort. It is valued by collectors not only for its rarity, but also for its influence on post-war small arms development, which ultimately resulted in the modern assault rifle.
The FG42 featured in the auction is particularly valuable for its full complement of accessories, including the original bipod, magazine, sling, scope and mount. It sold in fantastic condition.
Further highlights among the Class III weaponry was a Knight Armament Company Stoner 63A machine gun, which sold for $66,125. The "Stoner" was a popular weapon among US Navy SEALS and Marines during the Vietnam war.
Also selling well was an engraved powder horn attributed to a Thomas Barber and dated 1780, which achieved a 137.6% increase on its $10,000-15,000 estimate at $35,650.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has some superb items of militaria for sale, charting history's greatest military actions.
