doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com J A Prechtel

Today a gentleman forwarded photos of a very unusual gun to my attention. The gun is in every external respect (photos did not show gun opened) an early LeFever "push-opener" to include relieft carved fluer-di-lis breech balls, cocking indicators, stepped side-plates, ivory stock insets, the various early adjustment screws, push-button fore arm release, and beautiful game scene, sroll, and border engravings equal to at least "B" and probably "A" quality (maybe higher). The photos seen did not include all portions of the frame; and although I saw no gold inlays, the pistol grip does appear to be gold-capped. The most unusual aspect of the gun however, was not the features of the gun itself; but rather the name engraved on each lockplate, "J A Prechtel". Now I know that I have heard or seen that name somewhere; but exactly where, and the significance, escapes me at the moment. What are your thoughts, and how would J A Prechtel be connected to what is obviously a LeFever gun without the LeFever name? By the way, this gun has no serial number, no patent date/s, and no grade mark. I would be happy to post photos, if I knew how; so if someone will mail me directly, I'll be glad to send them the photos for posting.
Tom

At some point years ago on this BBS, someone else posted pictures and there was a thread about a "Prechtel" marked gun. I wasn't knowledgable enough at the time to have recognized it for a Lefever. Anybody else remember that...Geo

It was me. I have not been here in years. Tell me what you know please.

This is my information related to Prechtel and his trap guns

Sometime after 1880, but before 1900 (then age 38), John A. Prechtel enters an apprenticeship with the well-known Daniel Myron Lefever of Syracuse, N.Y.
After spending an unknown amount of time under Mr. Lefever's tutelage, he was allowed to complete a firearm from "scratch" to demonstrate his proficiency in the craft. He then returns to Cleveland and sets up his own gunshop.

By 1900 he was listed in the Ohio Census as residing in Cleveland; occupation – Gunsmith. Mother and father were from Germany. Sophia - Wife. Son - Walter

He and R.E. Sheldon to compete in a Challenge Cup Cleveland vs. Dayton in 1895
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/47989

He shot in the 1895 Cleveland Tournament
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/48319

The fourth annual tournament of the Cleveland Cartridge & Target Co. was held at Cleveland, O., on June 16, 17 1897 and on the grounds of the Cleveland Gun Club.
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/45827

https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/45829
R. E. Shelden, of Cleveland, the old-time expert, was present and shooting very well, using a single barrel, hammerless gun made by J.A. Prechtel, of Cleveland. It was one of the finest pieces of work we have ever seen in a single barrel gun. The finish was simply beautiful and the working mechanism of the gun was perfect. The gun cost about $750, is surely a pretty weapon.
($750 = about $30,000 today)





Two of his guns were used at the June 1898 Chamberlain Cartridge Tournament
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/45456/rec/627

No Prechtel at the 1899 GAH
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43586

One gun at the 1899 New York State Shoot
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43887/rec/1
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/43889

1900 GAH used by “Stanley” from Cleveland
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/42952/rec/1
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/42953

1904 Ohio State Shoot
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/38121
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/38122

Prechtel shot at the 1905 GAH
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/37132

High gun Veteran’s Day Tournament in Cleveland 1906
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/35581

1906 making a SBT for Chan. Powers (competitor in the 1901 Anglo-American match with a Parker)
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/34451

Shot in the 1908 GAH with a 86x100 in the GAH and 148x200 in the Amateur Championship. Guns used by the competitors were not reported.
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/32611
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/32612

1911 GAH High Amateur All Targets 479x500
Start on p. 22 and advance to each page to p. 27
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/28163

Attended the 1914 GAH
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/56955

He was still listed in the 1920 Ohio Census as “Gunsmith”.
He died age 65 and was buried in the Monroe Cemetery of Cleveland, Ohio.

Drew, thanks for bringing back these memories and guns. Such fine research and from guys we miss.