doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A.P. Kessel & Lefever W/ Pictures

I'm trying to track down a stock maker by the name of Albert P. Kessel, he was born in Germany circa 1854. Emigrated to the US in 1883 and shows up on the Syracuse city directory for 1889-1890. The 1900 Census show him in Brooklyn. I have a note in my Schaefer (Boston)file that he worked for Schaefer, no date. My notes also say that some Lefever shotguns have his name stamped under the grip cap.
Does anyone have a Kessel marked Lefever stock, if so from what period (date) is it? There have been reports of Schuetzen loading tools with his name on them, there is also a Pope-Ballard Schuetzen rifle stock with his stamp "A.P. Kessel" just in back of the grip.

Do you happen to have a photo of his Pope-Ballard Schuetzen rifle stock so we know what to look for?

Good Idea Terry,

His German training shows through in the shape of the cheekpiece, of course this is the only rifle to date I know with a Kessel stock. The stamp is very small and could be easily overlooked. The workmanship is first class and seems to have been on the rifle for some time. If it matters it’s a Hartford-Pope 33-40 with False-Muzzle and all the tools.

Mike
I know that Phil Kroll has had some Lefevers marked with Alberts name on them. I think they were from the 1880 to 1885 era. Im sure Phil would be willing to talk to you about them, so give him a call. If you need his number or want me to call him shoot me an email.
Bob

I've never seen a Ballard stock like that - I think his cheek piece shape and pistol grip termination could serve as identifiers.

Bob, do you know if the Lefevers are of a certain grade(s)? My B #9337 is just more modern the era you cite. I will check it.

Terry
I dont know for sure. Just give Phil a call. I do thow that there eather sidecockes of piviot openers as that was the types of guns Phil was dealing with at the time. I do know that he had more than one gun marke with Alberts name on it.
bob

Mike,

Lefever, sn. 13128 has an A. P. Kessel stamp. This should put it around 1890.

Ray

Ray,

Do you have photos of the stock and A.P. Kessel stamp on 13,128? Is the name stamped under the grip cap, as Mike notes? Along with any other pictures of Kessel stocks on Lefevers, that would make an interesting article for the newsletter.

Rich

Ray,

Thanks, Your gun has a factory stock? My notes say this but I have not confirmed that. I think it's very unusual that a workman for a large company would stamp his name on his work. Does anyone know if other workmen did this? Most people would have no reason to remove the grip cap on their shotgun so there might be a lot we don't know.
This could get interesting.

Mike,

Signature is stamped under the top tang, under the grip cap and I believe under the horn insert at the butt. This stock has a skeleton buttplate with a checkered horn insert. It is an original stock.

Ray