Author Topic: Illinois Gunmakers?  (Read 3792 times)

Offline Seth Isaacson

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Illinois Gunmakers?
« on: March 28, 2017, 05:39:35 PM »
Anyone here have antique rifles manufactured in Illinois? Despite living here, I rarely see any made in the state compared to those made in other parts of the Midwest.
I am the Lead Historian and a Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

Offline T*O*F

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2017, 06:32:45 PM »
Obviously you don't have Gunmakers of Illinois by Curt Johnson nor heard of his extensive collection, many of which are posted under Illinois Guns in the Museum forums at the bottom of the main page.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2017, 06:34:44 PM by T*O*F »
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Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2017, 06:48:21 PM »
Actually, I have already looked at the guns in the library in the past and have been holding out for a cheap copy of Johnson's book to show up on Ebay or Amazon. So not obviously.  ;D

I'm asking if others on the board had other examples. Johnson can't have them all!
I am the Lead Historian and a Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

Offline Mark Tyler

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2017, 08:14:28 PM »
Curt owns them all: 



Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2017, 08:38:26 PM »
The variety of gun styles made here in Illinois is extraordinary...
do you have a specific maker, time period or favorite type in mind?
Curt's book set is a must have for those interested in this topic....
tc
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Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2017, 09:18:07 PM »
I'm mostly just interested in learning more about the rifles from the region, especially in the 1840s and earlier. Most of my personal historical research deals with the Upper Mississippi Valley prior to the mid-1840s. I had noticed the wide variety represented in the Illinois rifles in the library and the few examples I've been able to see in person.
I am the Lead Historian and a Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2017, 09:18:39 PM »
Curt owns them all: 

Interesting. I'll check that out later.
I am the Lead Historian and a Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

Online tim crowe

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2017, 10:03:02 AM »
Go to the Princeton show, Kurt is there with his guns and Mike Brooks wanders in, also.

Offline Curt J

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2017, 05:29:58 AM »
No, I don't own them all, but I do own quite a few. There are several other collectors here in Illinois who own some also.  The Rambling Historian is more than welcome to give me a call.  There is not much that I would rather talk about.  Are you from the Quad City area?  If so, we are only about an hour apart.

(815) 699-7790

Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Illinois Gunmakers?
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2017, 04:50:08 PM »
I live between the QC and Galesburg. I might have to take you up on that sometime Curt. Thanks!
I am the Lead Historian and a Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*