Morphy's "Albrecht" rifle

[Eric Kettenburg]

I'm sure I'd make a lot more money!

[spgordon]

I very strongly suspect that this barrel was marked and toasted sometime post-1980s by someone who was a bit better.

I agree. I think it's nearly certain that this forgery dates to whatever period the Oerter rifles, with their barrel engraving (signature, date, and number), became of great interest to collectors.

I don't know exactly when that was. I'm aware that the Oerter rifles were known about for a long time. But when did they first begin to gain the reputation that they have today? How long after Rifles of Colonial America (published in 1980, which I assume is why, Eric, you used that date?)?

[Eric Kettenburg]

I agree, I think George's RCA books really were something of a 'game changer' in terms of people getting a better grasp on much of what is out there aside from the previous landmark work, which was Kindig.  It was also in the 80s and 90s that there was something of a small explosion of books by varied authors primarily focused upon good (for the time) photography, much better than what was used in either Dillon's books or Kindig's catalog.  So, while some "in the know" folks - primarily KRA associated - may have been very aware of Oerter and Albrecht and their attributed work prior to George's publications, I really don't think a lot of this stuff was even marginally known until he published RCA.

Bob has been at this longer than I for sure, and he may be able to offer more of a first-hand account of such things including what someone like Jack Brooks, who has likewise been at this a long time, may or may not have known.

[smart dog]

 “I know for a fact that some very expert faker has been re-engraving pieces, changing locks, making new stocks for old barrels, etc. I strongly suspect a certain person. One of his specialties appears to be taking perfectly good European arms and engraving American names on them”.

I believe this was the infamous Kimble Arms scandal during the 1930s.  Kimble, a dealer and purchaser for many famous and wealth collectors including Renwick, was notorious for hiring a certain engraver named Teff(?) who fabricated signatures and other engraving.  The forgeries and fakes are still in some major collections including the Smithsonian.  I believe the famous "Newtown" matchlock gun called the first gun made in America by the NRA, Smithsonian, and even Jess Melot is a Kimble fake.  In fact, a very bad and obvious fake but not when you want to believe it is real.

dave

[Majorjoel]

Teff's name was brought up in a discussion about this Germanic rifle a few years ago.  Seeing American sources for such a gun put out very big red flags regarding fraudulent signatures.  The poorly engraved letters in the barrel didn't do much for authentication either.   

Unfortunately I have been trying to convince the present owner of this piece that the barrel markings are bogus to no avail and our friendship has slipped a bit from his side of the line on account. 

[WESTbury]

Is that engraving supposed to read "Lancaster" ?

[Majorjoel]

Yes, Lancaster and the two letters before this are M M.

[WESTbury]

Joel,

Is this fowler the Martin Meillin Fowler? I've read just about all of the old posts about Meillin and his rifle and fowler and have seen references to the fowler but no photos.

By the way, I understand that all things Meillin are Doctor Kettenburg's favorite subject.

Kent

[JTR]

Just me, but it's not worth loosing a friend over.....
John

[Mike Brooks]

Yes, Lancaster and the two letters before this are M M.

(giggle)

[Eric Kettenburg]

Not me!  The Meillin/Meylin stuff is too blatantly ridiculous.