Feinster-Bohler Blitz Stahl / P. Hambrusch - Steyr-

[ellenbr]

Possibly there were 2 Josef Hambrusch fellas, one from Steyr/Vienna & another from Klagenfurt(say 17km from Ferlach) that were in Ferlach at different time periods?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[Axel E]

The numbers of the Ferlach gunmakers were not "British issued" afaik. In Ferlach they are simply known as "Hausnummern". These numbers are simply the old fire insurance numbers of the house the gunsmith had his shop. In former times houses were not numbered to the streets, but numbered for the whole village according to importance and age. Usually the numbers started with "1" for the church.

[ellenbr]

I invite any and all varying opinions so that we may get to the truth but it may be folklore, and I'll have to dig a bit, and it seems odd that the numbers(house numbers) appear post WWII, but from what I recall when the makers turned their weapons into the Brits, each was assigned a maker number and it may have been their house number.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[Doug Kellermann]

Gene,
These guns are fantastic and your father has a very nice collections.

My children who are 5 and 7 are well versed on firearms and the drillings we have. I plan on passing the guns down to them and like to believe they will keep the guns in their possession. They both enjoy the out doors and have positive exposure to hunting.

I hope you plan on keeping these guns and depending upon your perspective shooting/hunting with them.

[Thantos]

First off,
Let me thank everyone for their great responses and all the help and information ! ! ! These will all be passed on to my children, who like yours Doug, have grown up around guns and know and respect them well. Both of my sons are or were (my older boy is serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees) into hunting and competitive shooting sports, in pistol, rifle and shotgun at our local Rod & Gun Club.

I know everyone sees things differently, these will not be shot or hunted with. I have plenty of rifles, pistols and shotguns to shoot and hunt with that can take the daily wear, tear and abuse. I don't think I would be able to forgive my self if one of these was ever damaged, while these Drillings may not be pristine, to me they are not what I would call shooter grade.

Here is a video of my extremely nervous and youngest son (12) shooting in his first USPSA Match. This was his qualification match to get his shooters card, one mistake or safety infraction and he would have to wait another year before he could re-qualify. He was so nervous he kept forgetting to reload !

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=3&theater

[mike ford]

For a 12 year old, shooting with adults, he did great, it sure beats hanging out in the pool hall. Don't worry about damaging your dad's guns. They were made to be hunted with and I'm sure your dad would be proud to know you and the boys are using them. Tell your oldest, we are thankful for his service. BTW, the Seabees are a great outfit.There were Seabees in Mississippi when I took my company(Army Engineers) down to "fight" Hurricane Camile in 69.
Mike

[Doug Kellermann]

Gene
I have to agree with Mike.
I believe the original makers of these guns intended them to be used hunting.
I recently acquired a 1920's Greifelt drilling that looked to be in great condition. Fortunately, I had 2 great drilling smiths down the road who looked at the gun and agreed the stock needed to be glass beaded. If the stock had not had this done I am sure it would have broken the first time I fired the gun.