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LOT 1438
Magnificent Factory Engraved True Pair of Fabio Zanotti Sidelock Double Barrel Shotguns with Case Owned by American Politician Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. -A) Fabio Zanotti Shotgun - Serial no. 4499, 12 gauge, 27 7/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This beautiful true pair of Fabio Zanotti shotguns dates to 1963 and was owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. (1914-1988), son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) and First Lady Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962). F.D.R. Jr. was a graduate of the Groton School, Harvard University, and the University of Virginia Law School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and received several awards, including the Silver Star for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity of action while serving on board the U.S.S. Mayrant (DD-402), during an enemy air raid on the harbor of Palermo, Sicily, on 1 August 1943, During a heavy enemy night air attack on shipping in the harbor, several bombs were dropped close to the U.S.S. Mayrant moored alongside a dock. The bombs struck a train load of ammunition and other nearby storages of gasoline and explosives. When bomb fragments and flying shrapnel from exploding ammunition wounded two men, Lieutenant Roosevelt effectively and with complete disregard for his own safety administered first aid and then, during the heaviest part of the attack, carried the more critically injured man down the ladders from the bridge to the nearest battle dressing station. This prompt and courageous actions in the face of great danger to himself in all probability saved the life of the wounded man. The exceptional courage, initiative, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Roosevelt were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” He attended the Argentina summit and Casablanca Conference with his father and also accompanied Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Iceland during the war and commanded the destroyer escort U.S.S. Ulvert M. Moore (DE-442) which shot down Japanese aircraft and also sunk a Japanese submarine and was stationed in Tokyo Bay during the formal surrender of the Japanese.
After his father’s death and the end of the war, he returned to his law career and also entered politics, including serving three terms in Congress as the representative for the 20th District of New York in 1949- 1955, initially as a member of the Liberal Party and later as a Democrat. He also made multiple unsuccessful runs for additional offices and was a supporter of John F. Kennedy in 1960. During the Kennedy administration, he was Under- Secretary of Commerce after being denied the position of Secretary of the Navy. He would have been the Under- Secretary of Commerce at the time these fantastic shotguns were made.