NE Gents,

I don’t know why the light just went on, perhaps it was something nhdblfan (Dave) said, but it just occured to me that I had forgotten to update you on what I found out about the subject rifle. Back in late September while trying once again to find out who Edurtreg Company - New York was a friend of mine suggested I try contacting the New York Historical Society. Why I hadn’t thought of contacting them earlier is beyond me but I guess so is a lot of other stuff. Anyway, I took my friends advice and sent them an e-mail. A little over two weeks later this showed up:

To: Buchseman (edit)
From: reference/NYHS
Date: 10/10/2009 03:51PM
Subject: Fw: Researching: Edurtreg Company - New York
Dear Buchseman (another edit),

It appears that the Edurtreg Company left little mark in New York City. I did finally find two listings for it in the New York City directories, in 1915 and 1916, only. There was no listing in 1917 and the years following, or in 1913 (a 1914 edition was not issued).

The 1915 listing reads:
Edurtreg Co. (RTN [registered trade name]), Robert Muller, Jr., 22 Wash. pl., mail orders.
The 1916 reads the same way, except the business is described as "hatters supplies."

On searching Robert Muller, Jr., one finds that he was the president of Robert Muller & Company, described as "trimmings" or "hatters supplies" at the same Washington Place address, until later moving to Mercer Street. Muller's home address, when given, is Pelham Manor, New York.

We have corporation directories for 1910 and 1918. This does not help us for the Edurtreg Company but provides this information for the other company in 1918:
Muller, Robert & Co. (NY), Robt. Muller, jr Pres, Francis Scott Sec. Capital $100,000. Directors: Robert Muller jr, Chas E. Williams, Jay H. Jenkins, Francis Scott, hat bands, 297 Mercer.
I hope this is of some help to you.

Sincerely,

MT
Reference Librarian

The New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024-5194
Reference: 212-485-9225
E-mail: reference@nyhistory.org

I just about jumped out of my seat when I read it.

Going back to my old post I had said that “BEST GERMAN MAKE ESP MANUFACTURED FOR EDURTREG COMPANY - NEW YORK” is in gold and platinum inlay on the top rib, the first letter of each word is in gold and the others in platinum. Per the letter from the NYHS the name Edurtreg Company was only used for the years 1915 and 1916 thus one could conclude that the year of manufacture for this piece is probably one of the two. Also, it doesn’t seem to be much of a stretch (to me anyway) that it is very possible that the owner of the company, one Mr. Robert Muller Jr. had ordered and imported this gun for himself as the initials “RM” in platinum and gold respectively are on the top lever. My thought is Mr. Muller had very good taste in firearms and wanted something hot.

Regards,

Buchseman