Krieghoff Model 32 Crown Grade Made 4-Gauge Skeet Set O/U Shotgun, 1962 C&R

SOLD FOR: $13026

LSB#: 211025HD01

Make: Krieghoff

Model: 32 Crown Grade, Skeet Four Barrel Set

Serial Number: 1391

Year of Manufacture: 1962, the additional barrel sets were made in 1973, 1974 and 1975

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4? Shells
20 Gauge, 3? or shorter Shells
28 Gauge, 3? or shorter Shells
.410 Bore 3? or shorter Shells

Action Type: Boxlock over-under top break with single selective trigger (mechanical) and individual ejectors.

Markings: The bottom of the receiver is marked with a large gold crown and “Krieghoff / Model 32” in gold. There is full-coverage engraving with scroll surrounding a fowl scene on the right and a hunting dog scene on the left with each of the animals done in molded gold and there is a gold-line border around the receiver. The engraving motif continues onto the guard, the exposed portion of the forend iron, the bottom-front barrel band of the 12 gauge barrel set and on the lever which has a matching gold crown. The engraving on each side of the receiver has been signed “HV”, though we were not able to determine the name of the engraver. The inside of the forend iron is marked “1391”.

12 Gauge barrel set: The left side of the top barrel is marked “H. KRIEGHOFF K.G. ULM GERMANY / MODEL 32 – 12 GA. / BOHLER LAUFSTAHL”. The left side of both barrels is marked “12/70” and with eagle over “N” proof, the top is marked “04”, the bottom “03”. The bottom of the monoblock is marked “1391”, “962” date code, “KRIEGHOFF / ULM”, with German proofs and “II”. The left of the monoblock is marked “F” above the ejector arm and “M” below.

20 Gauge barrel set: The left side of the top barrel is marked “H. KRIEGHOFF OHG. ULM GERMANY / MODEL 32 – 20 GA. – 3″ / BOHLER – LAUFSTAHL”. The left side of both barrels is marked “20/76”, “MAG.” and with eagle over “N” proof. The bottom of the monoblock is marked “9896”, “74” date code, “KRIEGHOFF / ULM”, with German proofs and “I”. The left of the monoblock is marked “F” above the ejector arm and “M” below.

28 Gauge barrel set: The left side of the top barrel is marked “H. KRIEGHOFF OHG. ULM GERMANY / MODEL 32 – 28 GA. – 3″ / BOHLER – LAUFSTAHL”. The left side of both barrels is marked “28/76”, “MAG.” and with eagle over “N” proof. The bottom of the monoblock is marked with “973” date code, “KRIEGHOFF / ULM”, with German proofs and “I”.

.410 Bore barrel set: The left side of the top barrel is marked “H. KRIEGHOFF      ULM GERMANY / MODEL 32 – 410 GA. – 3″ / BOHLER – LAUFSTAHL”. The left side of both barrels is marked “410/76”, “Magnum” and with eagle over “N” proof, the bottom is marked “IMPORTER VICTOR BRADL. INC. MIAMI. FLORIDA. U.S.A.”. The bottom of the monoblock is marked “10430”, “75” date code, “KRIEGHOFF / ULM”, with German proofs and “I”.

Barrel Length: All of the barrels are 28? Vent-Rib

Choke: Despite the choke markings on the 12 gauge barrel set, each barrel set has both barrels choked Skeet, Fixed.

Sights / Optics: Each barrel is mounted with a white bead at the front of the vent rib. The 12 gauge barrel set has a white mid-bead, the other barrel sets have small metal mid-beads.

Weight: 

12 GA Barrels Installed: 7 lb., 14.4 oz.

20 GA Barrels Installed: 8 lb., 1.1 oz.

28 GA Barrels Installed: 7 lb., 15.8 oz.

.410 Barrels Installed: 7 lb., 14.2 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered deluxe walnut with fleur-de-lis accents, beavertail finger grooved forend, fluted monte-carlo comb, capped pistol grip, and brown rubber Decelerator buttpad. The stocks have minor handling wear with only a few scattered light marks. There are some minor gaps in the fit to the forend iron and tangs, with some sort of fill or bedding compound visible around the rear edges of the forend. The checking is well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/8? to the back of the wood. The pad has some shaping wear around the edges but no major defects and remains supple. The drop at the front of the comb is about 1 5/8?, drop at the rear of the comb 1 3/4″, drop at heel is about 2 1/4? and these drops are consistent across the barrel sets. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine Plus condition as refinished and/or replaced.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: The markings are clear and there are no overt signs of refinishing, but we do suspect that the gun has been at least touched up, possibly even sent back to Krieghoff for refurbishment. The 12 gauge barrel set is original to the receiver, the other barrel sets are not.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. Some have some fouling that will clean out. There is no erosion in the bores.

Overall Condition: This shotgun set retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in light wear on the barrels in areas covered by the forend when assembled. The 20 and 28 gauge barrel sets have some lines of light wear on each side of the barrels, the top of the bottom barrel and the bottom of the top barrel. The 28 gauge barrel set has some light erosion on the right of the top barrel and rib toward the muzzle-end. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows operational wear. There is handling wear on the controls. The guard, lever and breech block each have a slight plum hue. The pinheads range from unmarred to lightly tool marked, but not peened. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun set rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Each barrel set locks up to the receiver with no play. The trigger is mechanically operated. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a carry case with canvas cover. The case has storage for the barrel sets, stocked receiver and forend as well as an accessory compartment which has a serial-matching Krieghoff guarantee-card, Kreighoff patch and keys for the case. The case has some light storage wear. The cover has more notable wear with large tears at some edges.

Our Assessment: The Remington 32 was discontinued shortly after WWII. Despite the obvious quality of the mechanism, their patents on the design were not renewed. Henrich Krieghoff, having recently escaped Soviet-controlled East Germany had settled in Ulm and started making sporting arms. He was able to receive approval from Remington to utilize their design and the Krieghoff 32 was born! It would go on to be considered one of the finest sporting shotguns available, and with good reason. They are designed to survive being shot literally thousands of times (they keep on ticking – more like a Rolex than a Timex) and many current K80 parts should be interchangeable with this Model 32 if ever needed. This example was produced in 1962 as a Crown Grade with gorgeous engraving set off by the molded gold animals of its hunting scenes and the checkered and carved select walnut stocks. Over the years, a previous owner has acquired a full American Skeet set of barrels which have been well fit to the gun, and the original 12 gauge barrel set has been opened up from Full/Mod to Skeet/Skeet to match. The whole set comes in a nice case fit for the gun and its accessories. This is a great skeet gun for the lucky winner and should have generations of use left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!