New Member in NC

[rleslie]

Hello
So glad that I found this excellent forum. While I am not a collector, I do have some family history related to German firearms. My mother was born in and grew up in Suhl. Her father was an engineer with the automotive division of Samson. He had a large collection of sporting rifles that were taken during the war. My father was stationed in Suhl as a military governor during WWII and mother worked as his interpreter....you can guess the rest. While there, he took (stole) a gold plated pistol that I believe was won in the 1939 Olympics by Erich Krempel (who was also from Suhl). My brother is now in possession of the pistol and I am trying to convince him that he should donate it to the firearms museum in Suhl....we will see.

I have already learned a lot about the history of firearms as related to Suhl by reading the many posts in this forum and look forward to learning even more.

Thanks

EDIT: Krempel won the silver in the 1936 Olympics

[sharps4590]

welcome rleslie! Interesting story too. Look forward to your posts.

[mike ford]

rleslie,
Welcome, we are happy to have you with us, and look forward to your posts. A little while ago, I seem to remember the story of another Erich Krempel pistol which was also being considered for donation to the museum in Suhl. In my opinion, the use of the word "stole" is a little harsh. You should consider that at the time no one was allowed to have a gun and were required to turn them in for destruction. The guns taken as War Trophies by allied soldiers and the few that were hidden, under threat of severe penalty(even death), are the reason we have them to study now. Your father taking the pistol saved a piece of history, and I agree that it would be nice if your brother could see his way clear to return it. Of course I don't know if it is meaningful to him because it was his fathers or because of it's value.
Mike

[Diz]

rleslie, Welcome aboard! I have to agree with Mike as to the fortunes of war but I think it is what happens after that makes a difference. Good to have you on the forum. Diz

[rleslie]

Bad News! My brother sold the pistol several years ago to a military gun collector who had a summer home in Weaverville, NC and was/is a tug boat captain on the Mississippi River. If I can be of any help tracking him down, I'm open to suggestions. Really would like to see the pistol go to the museum!!

[mike ford]

rleslie,
Could you describe the pistol? I wonder, now, if it is the one written about before.
Mike

[rleslie]

It is a Walther PPK (?). Gold plated with ivory grips. My dad had his initials etched into the grips...LL. It was in a case and an article from a German newspaper regarding Kremple winning it.

[rleslie]

Very similar to this pistol but the grips were different. It is not the one he used in the Olympics. He was awarded the pistol.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...17_638x500.jpg

article-2192511-14A912C4000005DC-317_638x500.jpg

[Steve Whitley]

Fascinating story, and I hope this continues. To my thinking, the preservation of its history (and documenting same) takes precedence over any supposed issues with its past treatment. If it has passed on to a collector, the odds of its return to the museum may or may not be diminished, but let's hope that effort is not abandoned. This should indeed be preserved and acknowledged. And a hearty Welcome Aboard!
Steve

[mike ford]

rleslie,
It is not the same pistol, written about before, which was a single shot target pistol.
Mike

[rleslie]

It appears that the pistol has been located and is currently owned by a collector in the midwest.
pistol - Kempler.jpg