1974 Era Gunmaker search

[4STER01]

I recently acquired, at an estate sale, a Long Rifle that was built and personalized for previous owner circa 1974.  The name on the barrel is L. Barnhardt, not the previous owners name, that I assume is gunmaker.  This is simple inquiry on gunmaker as I have not been able to find any info beyond that. Rifle is 0.45 caliber 59" long, 43 1/2" barrel length to tang, ornate brass patch box and nice carving.  Thanks in advance

[rich pierce]

Hi, geographic region of the estate sale?

[4STER01]

Florida residence and Georgia executor but the gun was acquired when previous owner was in NJ in 1970's

[BoomStick]

If acquired in 1974, the builder is a very early contemporary maker.

Maybe Louis Barnhardt is the same as "L Barnhardt"?

[4STER01]

Here is signature on top of barrel

[4STER01]

When was that Louis Barnhardt made?

[T*O*F]

When was that Louis Barnhardt made?

The picture of the barrel sights tells all, including the date.

[4STER01]

The sole owner had a pair of unique powder horns commissioned in 1974 per documents for the rifle so without any other info early 1970's. Can post pics on front and rear sights, but no dates noted.

[4STER01]

Here are front and back sights as requested, no dates on rifle

[diamante]

Just guessing here but it looks like the barrel was made by Bill Large for Louis Barnhardt in 1951.
The "Old Lew" looks like Bill stamped the barrel with this also as I have seen examples of barrels Bill personalized.

[4STER01]

Thank you.  Any other pictures that would be helpful.  Great info you folks are a wealth of information. 

[Bob Roller]

Just guessing here but it looks like the barrel was made by Bill Large for Louis Barnhardt in 1951.
The "Old Lew" looks like Bill stamped the barrel with this also as I have seen examples of barrels Bill personalized.

There is one glitch here and it is the fact that Bill Large had NO way to MAKE any barrels in 1951.He bought rifled blanks from a man who may have been in Montana whose name was Buehmiller. Bill had a way to modify the rifling to what he thought was better,He did have a small building where the carport is and inside was an old G.A,Gray planer,a lathe and a verticle milling machine made by Frey Machine Co, that had a stationary bed and the head was moved by hand cranks.It was still that way in 1953 when I met him.Bill made a living teaching math on the local school system as did his wife Shirley..The big shop was built in 1955 and machines were added as money became available.Deep hole drills,another planer,Pratt&Whitney rifling machines,a bigger Bridgeport milling machine.Some of the barrel orders had additional money for my locks and triggers and I appreciated the work.Seventy two years have staggered by since that day in 1953 and they were mostly good ones.
Bob Roller

[diamante]

Bob I stand corrected. On closer inspection the 1951 is actually I9  51 which probably isn't a date like I first thought.

[Bob Roller]

Bob I stand corrected. On closer inspection the 1951 is actually I9  51 which probably isn't a date like I first thought.

You needed no correction and with all that scrawl on that barrel it may have been in Hebrew or Russian. . Bill was a good teacher,husband and father of 4 girls and I think ONE of them is still alive.The International Black Powder World Championship was held at the Marine Base in Quantico Va,in 1980 and Bill asked me if I was going because 90% of my lock work and triggers were going to Germany then and I told him I was going to meet these people and he said he had barrels for Helmut Mohr and he told me he wanted to go and meet these Germans so the next morning he,his wife and one daughter showed up in a new Cadillac and Bill handed me the keys and said "Let's go".The car had about 60 miles on it and we had a good trip.This was about 6AM and I took old US60 and we stopped at the Hawks Nest Lodge for a good breakfast and a fine drive over to the International shooting matches.I still miss Bill Large and always will.Too many fine times to forget.
Bob Roller

[Bob Roller]

Bob I stand corrected. On closer inspection the 1951 is actually I9  51 which probably isn't a date like I first thought.

You needed no correction and with all that scrawl on that barrel it may have been in Hebrew or Russian. . Bill was a good teacher,husband and father of 4 girls and I think ONE of them is still alive.The International Black Powder World Championship was held at the Marine Base in Quantico Va,in 1980 and Bill asked me if I was going because 90% of my lock work and triggers were going to Germany then and I told him I was going to meet these people and he said he had barrels for Helmut Mohr and he told me he wanted to go and meet these Germans so the next morning he,his wife and one daughter showed up in a new Cadillac and Bill handed me the keys and said "Let's go".The car had about 60 miles on it and we had a good trip.This was about 6AM and I took old US60 and we stopped at the Hawks Nest Lodge for a good breakfast and a fine drive over to the International shooting matches.I still miss Bill Large and always will.Too many fine times to forget.
Bob Roller

Bill and Shirley Large's last daughter,Janice Wheeler passed away last year at age 84.I just checked online. Jeanine,Jeanette,JoAnn and Janice,all gone.

[4STER01]

Anything in summary for "new Lew".  Any additional pics needed

[madmtmike]

That front sight set up is first class!