Information on Peterlongo o/u shotgun

[Bill Quillen]

I am hoping someone can give me information on a maker named Peterlongo. I have seen an o/u which looks to be high grade but I never heard of the maker .

Any information on the history, reputation or craftsmanship of this maker would be appreciated

Thanks , Bill

[mike ford]

Bill,
Vic at Sharps 4590 has been recently working with a bolt gun from this well known Austrian firm. Maybe he will offer opinion/information.
Mike

[Axel E]

The "Tiroler Waffenfabrik Peterlongo, Richard Mahrholdt & Sohn", Innsbruck, Austria, was founded in 1854 by Johann Peterlongo. From 1898 to 1918 it was run by Richard Mahrholdt, author of the first edition of the "Waffenlexikon" = arms encyclopedia, which he of course used to advertise his own wares. From 1918 until his death in 1947 he owned the company. The next generations were son Herbert M. and grandson Erwin M. Afaik Peterlongo closed doors in the 1970s. After 1900 Peterlongo really made few of "their" guns themselves, but relied, as usual, heavily on the Suhl and Ferlach guntrade. Schmidt & Habermann, Suhl, trademark ESHA, and Schüler, Suhl, are known to have supplied many guns marked "Peterlongo", as they did for Wilhelm Brenneke. In the first edition of his Waffenlexikon Richard Mahrholdt showed the Schmidt & Habermann M 21 bolt action rifle in .22 HP Savage and .250-3000, but called it the "Mahrholdt - Savage - Repetierstutzen" without even mentioning S&H. So I suspect your over-under was made for Peterlongo by the Suhl, Ferlach or Zella-Mehlis guntrade too. If you post photos of all those proof- and other tiny marks under barrels, on action flats and maybe on standing breech, and one or two of the action area, we may be able to point at the real maker.

[sharps4590]

Hey Bill...

I can't speak as to the history of Peterlongo. The information I do have came from the always amazing Axel, which is already posted. Mike and Axel were both instrumental in providing information on the proprietary Peterlongo cartridge, enabling me to form the cartridge and put the rifle back to work. As Mike said I have been working with a Mauser sporter in 9 X 71 Peterlongo as at least marketed by "Johann Peterlongo Waffenfabrik, Innsbruck. The quality of my rifle is superb. It seems I have seen and casually examined another Peterlongo rifle and it was equal in quality. The longer I am involved working on and with firearms from Germany/Austria the more I become impressed with their boringly excellent craftsmanship. When I pick up a firearm from there I expect it to be the equal of the British gun trade and to exceed that of the American gun trade. Even those unmarked as to maker or marketer are more often than not the work of a Master's hand.

[Bill Quillen]

Thanks to all who responded. You have made me feel more confidant about the purchase of this 16 ga ,21/2 chamber , 26 in barrel gun. The stock is exceptional. I have not received gun yet but will post pictures of markings when received.
From the little I know this looks like a Merkel 302E to me. With pictures perhaps some comments on design would be appreciated. The dealer was not sure of date of mfg but said previous owner dated gun 1954.it has Kersten and double Purdey bolts.

Thanks. Bill

Thanks. Bill