Information on J. W. Weichold?

[Tom Moore]

Does anyone have any information on the firm J.W. Weichold from Cincinnati, Ohio? I just purchased a heavy target rifle made by them and was told that they were a father & son business from 1938 to 1960. They were supposedly the first firm to make muzzle loading barrels from modern machinery. Also both the father and son died very close to each other and that was why the business closed. The rifle weighs 20 lbs., has a 33 1/2 inch 52 caliber barrel. The barrel is round and 1 9/16 diameter. Underhammer with double set triggers, false muzzle with a bullet starter. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, -Tom

[Roger B]

I know very little about Mr. Weichold except to say that his first name was Jesse & I have heard his name in connection with fine bench guns.  I'll bet you could find out more about him by contacting the NMLRA as I believe he was a well known shooter & winner of his day.
Roger B.

[Tom Moore]

Thanks Roger, I'll give that a try. I also did a google search and found a post on "The Hunters Life Forum" by a Paul Hoskins about 2 years ago who wrote in reply to a question:

"The late Jack Weichold of Weichold Arms in Cincinnati let me make one (barrel) on his equipment back around 1961, under his supervision. He owned a deep hole drilling business and gunshop. His son sold the Pratt & Whitney barrel equipment to another gunsmith friend, Jack Lewis, but we never set the equipment up and he sold the outfit to another friend, Bill Large, who was the maker of the finest muzzle loading barrels anywhere. Back in the 70's Jack and I re-barreled and rebuilt around a dozen ML revolvers made in Italy for the Olympic team. Bill Large furnished the arms and barrel blanks and Jack and I did the work. The Olympic team won the Gold with those revolvers. ..........Paul Hoskins"

I will post a question there as soon as my registration is validated. Does anyone know if Jack Lewis or Paul Hoskins is still around? I know Bill Large passed away a while ago. I wonder where the equipment is now?

[G-Man]

Jack Lewis is still very much around, a respected gunsmith and fine gentleman to boot.  He sets up at Friendship spring and fall in the Sheepshed - same booth for the last 35 years or more.  Used to have a nice shop up near Aberdeen Ohio but it sadly burned down.  Before that, he was in Norwood (Cincinnati area) for many years.  Anway, I am sure you can contact him through the NMLRA. 

Guy

[realtorone]

I had Jack's phone number and if you will contact me at  realtorone@gulftel.com I'll look it up.Also his son Jack Jr.works at Cown's Auctions and can be reached there.

[heinz]

They were wonderful barrels and greatly favored by bench shooters in their time.  They were cut rifled and Weichold had Pratt and Whitney horizontal boring equipment. 
I believe most of Clark Frazier's earlier bench championships won at Friendship were done with Weichold barrelled guns.  I will send Clark an email to see if he has any information.

[smokinbuck]

I have a heavy percussion rifle made by Elisha McCraner in Willowdale, Ohio, Darke County around 1870 (+/-). this is a full stock rifle with a 38"X1.25" barrel that was lined by Weichold. The barrel is .50 caliber and today is still a fine shooting barrel. Can't tell you when it was lined but it is marked "Weichold Cin. O." on the face of the muzzle.
Mark

[oldiemkr]

Weichold Arms was purchased years ago by the Faxon family. It is now Faxon Machine.

The specialty is still deep hole drilling {I mean deep}. They had a tragic fire several years ago and lost alot if not all equipment. They must have been well insured as they started rebuilding as soon as the smoke cleared.

Last I talked to them they had made a few custom trap barrels for thier own use but not in the barrel business per se. Haven't seen a or heard of a weichold barrel for a long time. I think Weichold dabbled in surplus arms in the 50's or so too.