Peterlongo, Johann (Hans the Elder) (1854-1930), manufacturer

Peterlongo Johann (Hans the Elder), manufacturer. * Innsbruck, 1. 1. 1854; † Innsbruck, May 21, 1930. After graduation. the commercial school and military service he join the arms trading and production companies of his father founded 1854 in Innsbruck(in the former Palais Sarnthein) whose branch was located in Ferlach (Carinthia). After the death of his father, Johann P. (1826-98), he took the Thuringian weapons expert R. Mahrholdt in the Fa., Which had become purely commercial because of bad business. Through tough, one-and-a-half decades of development work, the new management of the Tyrolean weapons factory Johann P. was able to gain a respected position worldwide. The Innsbruck factory now specialized more and more in hunting weapons marked by accuracy and elegant decor and until 1914 became the largest and most respected such enterprise of the monarchy. P. weapons were also abroad - u. a. in North and South America as well as in the German and Dutch. Colonies - much sought after. After the end of the First World War P. handed over the Fa to his son Hans P. d. J. (1889-1946), who sold it in 1939 to R. Mahrholdt († 1949).

http://www.biographien.ac.at/oebl/oebl_P/Peterlongo_Johann_1854_1930.xml

to my knowledge there are neither factory papers surviving nor is someone working on a peterlongo data base. its common for such a firm that the serial numbers continuing over decades. so if you have some serial numbers you can see when such a rilfe can be build or not. pics of your rifle will help also especially the proof marks but with a look on the general design you can say its pre ww 1, between the wars or after in many cases.
sometimes its possible that the gun build for Petewrlongo in the trade maybe in Suhl or Ferlach having two serial numbers - the one by the maker and another by the trader. this is not allways logical.
just take a look for other peterlongo guns to get an impression

post ww 2 Mahrholdt Peterlongo combination gun made in Ferlach SN 38306
http://auctions.springer-vienna.com/de/b..._38306_c/l/4082

so after the war maybe in the 1950s they reach 38000

late Mahrhold Petertlongo combination gun SN 83854
http://www.icollector.com/Engraved-Gold-...Rifle_i17959803

johann Peterlongo drilling SN 18219
https://www.lauritz.com/de/auktion/johann-peterlongo-innsbruck-drilling-kal-16-8-7-mm/i3864963/#

looks like between the wars

Marholdt-Peterlongo combination gun SN 31652
http://www.icollector.com/Unique-Austria...hotgun_i9387800

so in 1939 when Mahrholdt take over Peterlongo the firm was maybe in the early 30000