Willi Karl Lunenburg gunmaker

[MS9x56]

Anyone have any information on this gun maker?

[algmule]

Hello

I'm presently between computers and don't have access to my library but I do have the following: in late 1924 the business by the name of Willi Karl was owned by Franz and Willi Karl. Both with the title Buechsenmachermeister. Advertised as Gewehr- u. Waffenhandlung. Also sold equipment for fishing. Address in late 1924 was Rotestrasse 7. There ought to be further info in Flintenkalle's Lexikon. Once my library is up and running I'll check if I have more on the business.

Peter

[MS9x56]

I read somewhere he and his father were from Suhl.

[algmule]

Hello
There was a Franz Karl, Buechsenmachermeister, in Suhl in the 1890's and early 1900's but I have no knowledge whether he was the same Franz Karl as the one involved in the Willi Karl business in L?neburg. Sorry, that's all I got for now.

Where did you hear the Karl's were from Suhl?

Peter

[Axel E]

Willi Karl, 1887 – 1979, Rote Str. 7, Lueneburg, was the son of Franz Karl, 1858 - 1925, who took over the Lueneburg shop of Heinrich Raetz in 1903. Willi was born in Suhl and served his apprenticeship and journeyman years there, covering all aspects of gunmaking. In 1911 he became master gunsmith. During WW1 he worked at the Spandau arsenal before entering his father’s business. He used the trademark “Suelfmeister”. (Suelfmeister was the medieval title of the heads of the Lueneburg salt works, the most important men in the city then)

[algmule]

Hello
In the 1890's and early 1900's Franz Karl shared the Suhl-address Kleine Backstrasse 80 with Jakob Kerner, Buechsenmacher-/meister (owner of the property).

Willi Karl must have left Suhl sometime before June/July 1910 as he is nowhere to be found in Suhl after that date.

Peter

[MS9x56]

I recently came into possession of a 7x57 mm rifle he made that was proofed in 1940. It has double set triggers 24" barrel half octagon, half round barrel with full length rib. Schnabel friend on checkered stock. It has a good amount of scroll work engraving. There is no model markings but it appears to be a model 98 action.