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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles
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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
The-Griffin-Howe-Story
      #355130 - 14/07/21 03:06 AM

The Griffin & Howe Story..

Alive And Well In New Jersey


https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-griffin-howe-story/



For more than 80 years, the company Jack O’Connor called “the Holland & Holland of the United States” has been at the center of custom riflemaking as an innovator, trend-setter and inventor. Griffin & Howe (G&H) is the father of the style now known as the “American classic” rifle stock, but that is just one of its many contributions. Under the guiding hand of Seymour Griffin through the first half of the 20th century, Griffin & Howe wildcatted cartridges, pioneered scope mounts, developed the sporting bolt-action and brought old-world craftsmanship and engraving to the American hunter.

And, more than any other company, G&H was gunmaker to the greats: From Dwight D. Eisenhower to Norman Schwartzkopf, from Stewart Edward White to Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark, to say nothing of Clark Gable and Gary Cooper, Griffin & Howe made its name producing the very finest rifles for America’s greatest names. Amazing, really, when you consider the modest circumstances in which it all started … .

Continued:

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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mckinney
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Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: Ripp]
      #355132 - 14/07/21 04:30 AM

Thanks Ripp. I love this stuff as you probably know. I was unaware of this article.

I have a collection of old G&H documents that I bought years ago on eBay. There are letters from Bill (or Phil?) Johnstone, head of gunsmithing at the time and other interesting paraphernalia. Especially interesting is a list of used guns they had available for sale in 1929.

I’ll try to find that stuff and post some of it.

Joe Prather is no longer president of G&H. The last time I saw him was at the Dallas Safari Club gun show in January 2007.

Chapman is alive and well and, together with a salesman or two and Bob Beach (retired), is the only link to the past.

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93x64mm
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Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4204
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: mckinney]
      #355139 - 14/07/21 07:36 AM

Great article Ripp.
Great to know the history of these famous companies, its great to hear that they're still going & doing what they do best, make good guns even better!
Thanks mate!

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: 93x64mm]
      #355155 - 15/07/21 01:23 AM

As mentioned, I too enjoy learning the history of these companies..always interesting..

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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85lc
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Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1031
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: Ripp]
      #355156 - 15/07/21 02:51 AM

Ripp, Thanks for posting. That is a great read. Unfortunately many people today may not know much (if anything) about G&H or Hoffman).

It is interesting today to realize that as late as 60 years ago, NYC had a very strong gun trade. I was reading the story of the 1st Creedmoor match in SSE and the American effort was supported by NY's Amateur Rifle Club and the shooting took place in an area now part of Queens.

--------------------
RB

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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: 85lc]
      #355162 - 15/07/21 06:29 AM

Quote:

Ripp, Thanks for posting. That is a great read. Unfortunately many people today may not know much (if anything) about G&H or Hoffman).

It is interesting today to realize that as late as 60 years ago, NYC had a very strong gun trade. I was reading the story of the 1st Creedmoor match in SSE and the American effort was supported by NY's Amateur Rifle Club and the shooting took place in an area now part of Queens.



You are welcome and yes it crazy what NYC has become today..

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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bwanabobftw
.375 member


Reged: 29/12/04
Posts: 676
Loc: Texas
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: Ripp]
      #355170 - 15/07/21 12:01 PM

Ripp, thanks for posting !!!!!!! A great history of Griffin -Howe.
Robert

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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2446
Loc: Melbourne Australia
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: bwanabobftw]
      #355200 - 16/07/21 09:17 AM

Very interesting, thanks for posting Ripp.

Matt.

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There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.

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Louis
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Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
Loc: France
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: Waidmannsheil]
      #355210 - 16/07/21 04:31 PM

Thank you for sharing with us Ripp, this is good background information to save for those not familiar with G&H.
Louis

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"Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"

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mckinney
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Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: Louis]
      #355268 - 17/07/21 11:25 AM

Some early G&H material as mentioned previously.

The rifles pictured in the checking/engraving illustrations appear to be from the very earliest G&H period - 1923/24. You can see the Fred Adolph influences on some of them. The schnabel forend seems to have largely disappeared by the late 20's. I have never seen a G&H rifle in the flesh that looked like any of the illustrated examples.

https://imgbox.com/gh247mrb
https://imgbox.com/qBR3KWiY
https://imgbox.com/6Ih9pb8w
https://imgbox.com/SUdtwb6T
https://imgbox.com/PUKfQdfh
https://imgbox.com/XrPyPkX0

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AlanD
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Reged: 14/12/08
Posts: 55
Loc: NSW Australia
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: mckinney]
      #355311 - 18/07/21 01:32 PM

Great article, thanks for posting.

Do the sales ledgers for the company still exist?

Regards

Alan

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mckinney
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Reged: 29/01/09
Posts: 1225
Loc: usa
Re: The-Griffin-Howe-Story [Re: AlanD]
      #355319 - 18/07/21 11:08 PM

The ledgers exist but since Bob Beach’s retirement they have taken down the database of serial numbers that used to be accessible on the website. That database was a treasure trove of information for guns that passed through VL&D and Abercrombie and Fitch - not just G&H guns but a long list of others foreign and domestic.

They’ve also discontinued the research service. Beach does not know if it will be resurrected but many people hope so. There may be more information on that in the Fall.

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