Barrel Maker History - Who became Who

[Top Jaw]

In the recent thread about Bill Large barrels, it was mentioned that Large sold some equipment to GRRW. Where did it end up after they closed?  Is it still in operation anywhere?
So Paris barrels eventually became Getz. 
What became of H & H?
Or Sharon Barrels?
And for any of the others makers from the 70s-80s where you can fill the blanks in.
Who became who?  I’m sure some may live on in the shops of today’s barrel makers. 

[WadePatton]

I could be wrong but it's my understanding that Charlie Burton got some of his gear from barrel maker Jim Goodoien.

[Dale Halterman]

I don't believe Paris became Getz. My understanding is that Don Getz and his brother bought the equipment from Paris and started their own company.

Dale H

[Karl Kunkel]

I thought the same, that the Getz brothers bought their equipment from Paris, and moved it from Gettysburg to Beavertown.

See also the below quote taken from Colerain's home page:

"Colerain Barrel Co. was founded in 1990 by Scott Keller and Scott Kelley. The business was bought from R. Paris and Son, from Gettysburg, PA, who were the very first to manufacture swamped barrels on a production scale. Both of us were well suited for the business, I being an Electrical/Mechanical Designer and my business partner, Scott Kelley, a Machinist. We studied under Robert Paris Sr. and Robert Paris Jr. for some time in order to gather the particular skills required for Precision gun barrel manufacturing."

[Elnathan]

Some of Bill Large's machinery went to Jim McLemore, to replace that lost in a fire.

I believe, BTW, that I read somewhere that a lot, perhaps most, custom/small shop barrels made in the US these days are made on machinery from WWII or earlier. Quite a testament to the quality of those machines, if true....

[Dave B]

Sharron's equipment I believe was aquired by the late Joe Williams of the Gun Works in Springfield OR.  I spent an afternoon watching him run some barrel machinery. Very cool stuff. Bauska In Montana became Orian barrel company then it became Montanna barrel company Though that may not be correct and others from Montanna are better at having the straight of the passing of the tourch. My first couple of rifles had Bauska barrels. They shot very well. I regret sellng my first longrifle.

[Daniel Coats]

Sharron's equipment I believe was aquired by the late Joe Williams of the Gun Works in Springfield OR.  I spent an afternoon watching him run some barrel machinery. Very cool stuff.

Sorry to hear about Joe. We traded back and forth for several years at the Colorado Collectors Gun Show. I learned a lot from him especially how to think about buying and selling. It was business and not personal attachment that made the difference between being good at it or not.

[Mike Brooks]

I have on hand at the moment 3 Paris & sons barrels. I've stocked up probably 1/2 dozen large barrels over the years. I have stocked up all eras of Getz barrels, not so much of the recent stuff since John switched over to unobtainium for barrel stock. Stocked up one swamped Sharon barrel...painfully slow twist with exceptionally deep groves that took magnum powder charges and wanted to blow patches. They all shoot well except for that Sharon barrel....

[Clowdis]

Stocked up one swamped Sharon barrel...painfully slow twist with exceptionally deep groves that took magnum powder charges and wanted to blow patches. They all shoot well except for that Sharon barrel....

Mike,
I also had a Sharon barrel that shot really poorly. IT was like 2 feet off at 25yds. and didn't group well either.

[rich pierce]

My .50 Sharon shoots as well as my GRRW or my Rayl or my Getz or my originals I've re-cut. I normally cannot shoot a 30” barrel that well anymore because I do better with a longer sight radius,  but this one does fine with as little as 60 grains FFG, .495 ball, and 0.020” linen patch. Patches look perfect. With my right eye and with limited practice an inch and a half at 50 yards is a good 5 shot group off the bench. I might have to switch to lefty like my bud Dave Brandenburg. He’s got some years on me but is strictly a cloverleaf guy with whatever he shoots, it seems.

[Clowdis]

What became of H & H?

Back in probably the early to mid 70's two shooters from H&H showed up at the NC State matches and won almost everything there was to be won. Now I know that it may be whining but if H&H wanted to show everybody how well their barrels shot they could have done that without showing everybody up. I don't know if anybody in NC ever bought one of their barrels after that. On the other hand, their barrels apparently shot pretty well but I don't think H&H was a very long-lived business compared to some others.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I have stocked up all eras of Getz barrels, not so much of the recent stuff since John switched over to unobtainium for barrel stock.

I think that wins the polite comment of the day award.   

[Waksupi]

Sharron's equipment I believe was aquired by the late Joe Williams of the Gun Works in Springfield OR.  I spent an afternoon watching him run some barrel machinery. Very cool stuff. Bauska In Montana became Orian barrel company then it became Montanna barrel company Though that may not be correct and others from Motanna are better at having the straight of the passing of the tourch. My first couple of rifles had Bauska barrels. They shot very well. I regret sellng my first longrifle.

I think a bit of your history is off. When Sharon closed, they became Montana Rifle Barrel Co. When they closed, Jerry Cunningham was the head machinist, and he started Orion Barrels.

Bauska learned and worked with John Buhmiller, elephant hunter and wildcat aficionado. When Les died the shop was dispersed pretty much piecemeal. I bought a lot of barrels there, and spent a lot of time in the shop with Les and Steve.

The company most recently under the name Montana Rifle Barrels, was started by Brian Sipe. I believe they may be closed now.

There are several other quality barrel makers here, although the majority do modern barrels only.

[45-110]

Many of my rifles are long gone, but my swamped Sharon 40" .54 flint built in '77 I have kept. It always shot magnificently and I won many club matches with it, and many deer have fallen to it.
Orion's where excellent too.
kw