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Posted By: Michael Petrov Cody WY? - 04/14/11 01:37 AM
Anyone planning a trip to Cody and the firearms museum?

If so I have a unresolved mystery that I would like to enlist the help of someone (other than the staff) to help me solve.

It would entail looking at one rifle and letting me know who you think the maker was. I have some old notes I took many years ago when I was there looking around and would like to confirm or discount my hunch as to the maker.

I'll do a little tutorial (online if you wish) about how to ID this maker's work.
Posted By: Alvin Linden #1 Re: Cody WY? - 04/14/11 02:48 PM
MICHAEL: I may be going in mid May let me know what you want me to check and I'll take it with me. Warmest Regards Jerry
Posted By: Michael Petrov Re: Cody WY? - 04/14/11 05:40 PM
The rifle in question is a 1903 Springfield serial number 457949 given to the Cody Museum by a Judge Anderson. He gave more than one 1903 and there is another of his Springfields in the collection, the other one has a heavy Winchester barrel.

I was there about twenty years ago and the rifle in question was laying in a case with some other stuff and I could not see the entire rifle. At the time no one knew anything about the rifle. I’ve emailed and talked on the phone with two different people and have learned the following. Getting them to take a picture is a big deal and seems impossible. They have an attribution they are comfortable with as to the maker.

If possible I would like to have a picture(s) if you have a digital camera and if they will let you look at the rifle. Please look it over and see if you can tell who the maker was. It’s been twenty-years and my notes are not the best but remember that I was impressed with what I could see of the rifle.

If you do recognize the maker you could TRY to let them know but suspect that might not work. I would be nice to get judge Anderson's full name and address.
Posted By: Alvin Linden #1 Re: Cody WY? - 04/14/11 11:02 PM
Michael:I have printed off the instructions and will have my digital camera with me. If I get over there, I will let you know what I find out. Glad I may be able to finally pay back a tiny portion of the favors you've done for me. Warmest Regards Jerry
Posted By: Alvin Linden Re: Cody WY? - 05/21/11 03:25 AM
Michael: I got you the photos at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center you wanted of the 1903 Springfield donated by Judge Anderson and allegedly customized by G&H and engraved by Arnold Greibel. I can't email them until the 1st because I don't have my computer with me, just my IPad. Jerry
Posted By: Michael Petrov Re: Cody WY? - 05/21/11 04:03 AM
Thanks for your help, I'll look forward to them.
Posted By: texraid Re: Cody WY? - 05/21/11 11:46 PM
Originally Posted By: Michael Petrov
Thanks for your help, I'll look forward to them.


You and all of us following this mystery maker thread.


Art
Posted By: Alvin Linden Re: Cody WY? - 05/22/11 03:36 PM
Michael: Now that I have a moment. First I spoke to one of the associate curators and she informed me that no weapon may be handled except by accredited researchers,educators,and recognized authors (you) and only by appointment during set periods of the year. Second, information concerning donators and their donations are kept private so no information on Judge Anderson may be released by the BBHC on any donation other than what is on the card in the display. The rifle you are interested in now resides in the William Ruger Room of Fine Gun Engraving at the far end next to the entrance of the Olin/Winchester Room. The rifle is in a case with other rifles and shotguns donated by the Greibel family in honor of their father The card states the rifle was built at G&H and engraved by Arnold Greibel.It may be of interest to note that this beautiful rifle has a standard G.I. Sight Cover on the front sight. It has a long register (150) Lyman 48s on it. The floorplate appeared at the angle I took the photo to have 100% engraved coverage on it. Hope this helps! warmest Regards Jerry
Posted By: Michael Petrov Re: Cody WY? - 05/22/11 05:46 PM
Let me ask you this, do you believe that G&H built that rifle?
Posted By: Alvin Linden Re: Cody WY? - 05/22/11 07:06 PM
Michael: Frankly I do not. For what it is worth the checkering was certainly not up to G&H's standard, the stock lines were rather blunted. It is my opinion that it is a very nice rifle, maybe even with a G&H barrel ( I couldn't see the top of the barrel) that has an Arnold Greibel floorplate on it. It just didn't have the finesse of a G&H! I could be wrong and frequently are, but I had doubts the moment I saw the rifle and the attribution to G&H. Jerry
Posted By: Michael Petrov Re: Cody WY? - 05/22/11 08:28 PM
This is why I ask others to look at it and possibly get a picture. The rifle I remember had nothing in common with a G&H.

The museum is satisfied with the attribution, done by experts in their opinion, so I was getting nowhere with email or phone.

In the overall scope of things it's not a big deal and this is normal with dealings with large organizations. I'm just curious about the rifle and intrigued.

Back about 1976??? I was at the cowboy hall of fame in Oklahoma City. On the lower level they has a western gunshop. There was a display of about six Sharps rifles, all were marked with the wrong information. I brought it to their attention and was politely told to take a hike. Before I left, I had a black felt tip marker in my pocket, they were all correctly labeled smile
Posted By: A10ACN Re: Cody WY? - 06/05/11 09:35 AM
Originally Posted By: Michael Petrov

Back about 1976??? I was at the cowboy hall of fame in Oklahoma City. On the lower level they has a western gunshop. There was a display of about six Sharps rifles, all were marked with the wrong information. I brought it to their attention and was politely told to take a hike. Before I left, I had a black felt tip marker in my pocket, they were all correctly labeled smile


That's awesome! I've politely pointed out discrepancies at places and been given the same, "Thank you, we don't give a damn' response. Or even better is the, 'Yes, we've been told that before!'. mad
Never had the chance to make an on-the-spot correction, though!
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