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/45827https://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)
![[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]](https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skeet/SBTs/i-vtX4f4V/0/L6gJZsBbPsnxvjRJq7R5tgTVk67F3FCwLBCS8LHrR/M/Screenshot%202020-12-18%2006.50.16-M.png)
![[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]](https://photos.smugmug.com/Trap-Skeet/SBTs/i-gzLvv7P/0/KwpnJFbR9F56N4xhR6mL8PkNhxkXH94NXxLqmH8Mw/M/Screenshot%202020-12-18%2006.50.26-M.png)
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/1https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/438891900 GAH used by “Stanley” from Cleveland
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/42952/rec/1https://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/38122Prechtel 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/355811906 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/56955He was still listed in the 1920 Ohio Census as “Gunsmith”.
He died age 65 and was buried in the Monroe Cemetery of Cleveland, Ohio.
