Krieghoff Model 32 Serial Numbers

Post subject: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Howdy, Boys:
A few of us are trying to establish the availability and rarity of the MUNCHEN grade Model 32. We are not sure of exactly what we are dealing with here. Was it a grade imported by du Pont, or was it a European only grade of the 32? Thus far, we are thinking the latter to be the case. At one time Dieter told me he thought perhaps the 'MUNCHEN' grade may have only been a grade for the Model 62 'Europa Arms'. We have already disproved that. Please understand; Dieter was only guessing from memory, based on what he observed as a very young man - not in the capacity he is in today. It was not his job to recall such details at that time.
So.. if you have, or know of any Munchen grade Model 32's, and if you know how they came into the U.S., then please share with us. We would be obliged.
M.D.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

I know where 3 MUNCHEN grade 4bbl skeet sets are located. All are blued receivers. Silver receivers were available.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Ian: Yes, Krieghoff-Germany has records. But they want you to submit a serial number and they research that particular serial number. If I had a million dollars I would see if Dieter would let me research the archives in Germany. But, alas, I am but a poor, ignorant Southerner who can barely afford some Krieghoffs..

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Lowgun: That was a really good one. I enjoy your sense of humor..

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

duPont/Krieghoff did import Munchen grade K-32's. I don't have any information regarding the particulars of the engraving pattern, but the ones that I know of were 4 barreled skeet sets. Unfortunately we lost much of our records regarding early K-32's in hurricane damage from hurricane David.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

There was a Munchen being advertised on Guns Intrnational a few months ago. Not sure if it sold.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Thanks, Will. Do you have any way of finding out if they were late additions to the Model 32 line-up? Wishing you, Kimble, Ginny, Hal, Tim, etc. well.
M.D.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Yes, the owner decided to keep it. He and I are working together to try to learn more about the Munchen grade..
M.D.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

The most resent research I have done for someone regarding a Munchen grade K-32, serial number in the #95XX range, was imported into the US by duPont/Krieghoff( Europa Corp) in 1978. I hope this helps.
Best,
Will

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Rebel - suggest you consult old editions of Shooter's Bible or Gun Digest, both of which would have listed the different K-32 variations (e.g. Standard, Munchen, San Remo, Crown, Super Crown) with MSRPs.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Pay attention now. I have a letter from Hal DuPont, postmarked December 4, 1981, 17 cents postage due. He enclosed a price list with skeet guns as well as others. Oddly, the high grade skeet guns on that price list were only four barrel sets. I'm sure one barrel sets were available, but were not on this price sheet. The difference in price between a standard grade 4 barrel set and a Munchen 4 barrel set was only $2000.00. The San Remo was another $5000.00 above the Munchen.The Monte Carlo grade was $16,000.00 above the Standard, and the Crown was $18,000 above the Standard Grade. None of my Krieghoff catalogs of the time include pictures of the Munchen Grade. The Munchen Grade may be rare, but it wasn't very highly thought of by DuPont. The Munchen Grade was catalogued long after the Europa period. The Super Crown is not priced in this period, although it is pictured in catalogs. Bill Murphy

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Thank you, Bill. We have sort of figured out the Munchen grade guns came late onto the Model 32 scene, with most having serial numbers in the 9XXX and 10XXX range. We also believe that most all were imported by Hal as 4-barrel sets (28' of course).
It takes two things to be valuable:
1) Rarity
2) Demand
We have figured out the rarity part, but we do not know of how much demand there is for obsolete 28' 4-barrel skeet sets in a rather rare engraving pattern.
Example: 1949 Nash sedans are rare, but who wants one? Not many. Now, a 1965 shelby GT-350.. well, that's another story.
Thanks for your input, Bill.
M.D.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

One good trait of the Munchen is that it is in the 'Good Zone' of K-32 manufacture. We have to understand that K-32 pricing in that era was wishful thinking on Hal's part. Looking carefully at the price lists, we find that sometimes graded guns in various configurations differed by thousands. Example would be a single gauge skeet gun of a certain grade being priced thousands above a trap gun of the same grade, when we know that just wasn't the case. I'm sure it was a proofreading error rather than an actual difference in pricing.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

I found a Munchen on an old internet auction serial number 4203, so they aren't all late guns.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Hey guys, I will throw my hat in since I'm the guy Will found some info on for my Munchen. I was in correspondence with one of the guys on another shotgun site who has a Munchen 4 barrel set of which he sent me pictures. It is exactly as mine but it is silver finished on the frame and forend iron with blued trunnion screws. I was not aware a coin finish or 'French Gray' was an option on any pre K-80 Krieghoffs. I surmised someone had had it nickeled when it needed a refinish. I don't know his serial number. I did discover the trigger guard engraving is basically the same as a K-80 'super scroll'. Bill, you are right about being in the 'good' zone of 32's. Mine has been shot very little with only a slight amount of blue gone on the right corner of the frame and trigger guard. BTW the 28 gauge barrels measure Imp/Cyl and Skeet 2 or Light Mod. with 3' chambers and long cones. No choke tubes needed here. I just wish I could retrieve my other 32 Standard from the repair shop so I can enjoy shooting 20 gauge this spring. It's a 1965 4 digit gun, Ouch! See you and Mike later on the screen! Lee.

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Help!! Found an ad for a Krieghoff 32 Munchen with trap barel, 410, 28, 20 and 12 ga O/U and an extra 12ga barrel. Claims he wants $1950 for all. Could it possibly be real?

Post subject: Re: The Rare, Rare, Rare Krieghoff Model 32: MUNCHEN

Real or not, be careful if you proceed. Sounds a little fishy to me.