These responses and images are from Topgun. He asked that I help with photo posting:

For Homeless Joe:

Joe: The only reference I have seen to an early Hollenbeck hammergun was contained in a 1991 (I think) article by H.J. Swinney entitled “New Notes on Frank A. Hollenbeck” and published in the Gun Report. Mr. Swinney speculates Hollenbeck produced a few examples of this breech loading hammer gun in 1877 and 1878 prior to his joining the W.H. Baker Company of Lisle, NY in 1879. His article shows two B & W photos of these guns marked “F.A. Hollenbeck” and I have copied that page to show the gun (note the unique “3rd” trigger that breaks open the gun).



For StormGSP:

Glad to know of your interest in Hollenbeck and his guns. I had waited in hopes someone would post photos (since I don’t know how) of a Hollenbeck Gun Company gun; but since that hasn’t happened, I am forwarding photos an early example, double gun #215. One will likely see 10-12 Hollenbeck drillings for every one example seen of a Hollenbeck Gun Co side x side. I don’t have any photos of the Hollenbeck drilling; but two examples can be seen on the Ivory Beads web site. The profiles of those models are easy to ID by the rifle barrel cocking lever/trigger device in from of the trigger guard. At any rate, these guns are very interesting; and represent, I believe anyway, the very best of the few examples of American made drillings we have from that era.

You had also asked that someone post photos of the SAC A-1 Special Trap Grade, and I have attached some pix from an example formerly at Ivory Beads. This model was produced from 1902-1904; kinda makes one wonder if Parker may have “borrowed” SAC’s A-1 Special moniker when they introduced their flagship grade, huh?

Finally, as to any article on the Hollenbeck/Syracuse Arms prototype gun; all I can do is prepare the article. I have no control over when, or even if Mr. Cote’ will choose to use and publish the article. After seeing some comments on this forum by posters stating they were sick and tired of seeing Syracuse Arms DGJ articles, it is entirely possible Dan Cote’ has the same opinion; we’ll just have to see what happens, but thanks again for your interest.



For Reb87

Ross: I apologize for remembering your gun as an A-1 instead of a Grade B. In my opinion it could be the best engraved late production Grade B SAC gun I have seen. When you get tired of owning that gun, I’d appreciate a call. As FYI, the carving behind the check panel is a feature that is not common to the SAC Grade B; and I have only seen that feature on one other example below Grade C; an example also grade marked “B”, but engraved in the style of an A-1 with birds on the frame sides instead of a dog. By the way, I have recorded approximately 25 Grade B SAC guns to date and have yet to find an example with the optional Krupp barrels; they have all been Damascus. I have attached some photos of a late production Grade B gun that you might enjoy (and I hope to personally see some day).

From Topgun.

Images in next post