Traditional Muzzleloading Association
Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: Lonewolfe20 on February 20, 2017, 01:36:44 AM
-
Got a barrel with C. Kohl stamped on it
I researched and found a Conrad Kohl on Wyomissing Creek in Mohnton PA
Has anyone ever heard of him or seen any of his work
This is quoted from a website that I found
Engaged in general gunsmithery and built a gun shop where Amos Price's Saw Mill was located (1851-1862).
There's also another faint stamping near it that partially says nadale I think
I'm not sure if I missed some letters before or after
-
For some reason that name sounds familiar.
However, search after search didn't reveal anything more than what you already knew.
"Kohl, Conrad—Built a gunshop in Reading, Berks County, Pa., in 1851. Active 1859 and after".
I also found another interesting bit of information.
It has been recognized for a very long time that many "Gunsmiths" of the time did not build the complete rifle, very often specializing in parts, or assembled parts.
The following led me to thinking that C.Kohl could have been a Barrel Maker.
"At a power source further above on the stream, Kohl and Keim had another gun barrel factory, which then became a saw and clover mill for Joseph Schoener and then Amos Price. Near the head of the stream Moses Ruffner had a stave mill and John Gougler had a small woolen factory around 1862. After the manufacture of gun barrels declined, many of these sources converted to hat making".
The part about "had another gun barrel factory" leads one to wonder just what the original "gunshop" was building?
All very interesting, but not much help to you.....
Uncle Russ...
Â
-
Thanks Russ
The weird thing is
It's stamped
S.Hawken St Louis on the top
And is a smooth bore or has been bored out
There is no threads for a breach plug and there's no sign of a touch hole
It looks authentic
I am having trouble loading pictures of it
-
Here's some pics of the same barrel
And it has been bored out
-
How long is the barrel? Just curious.
-
36" barrel length no sign of a touch hole
There are 2 under lugs present starting at the breach end they are spaced 5" then 10" a ram rod guide was present but has been taken off I did get it though with the barrel
I posted a pic of the barrel to show the condition I put a mic to it .783
2 dovetails cut on the top for sights
Any more info let me know
-
Left over stock from when the original Hawken shop closed? Possibly a blank which the Hawkens would have rifled themselves? Not threaded for a breech plug, didn't the Hawkens have a patent breech which had the touch hole/snail rather than it being in the barrel? I imagine that they bought the barrel blanks from jobbers, then rifled them themselves. Neat find, though!
~WH~