Runge Engraving Log
 

I have read that Robert(Bob) Runge kept a detailed log of the guns he engraved. That he was meticulous in documenting the guns he engraved and the hours spent on each gun. I would think this log would contain a treasure trove of information on the Parker/Remington guns that he engraved. Does anyone know the whereabouts of this Runge log book? Anyone ever had the opportunity to look at it?

PML

It would be great for the archives and add additional information to a research letter.

A young lady came on here a couple of years ago who was his niece or some family relation. She appeared to know a whole lot of information about him but didn’t tell us much.





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Bob Runge's logbook detailing his engraving details and the guns he worked on by serial number is in the hands of one of his 2 daughters (I forget which one). I saw it many times over the years, off and on in Del Grego's shop on 5th Ave. in Ilion, and when I interviewed Bob for material on the article I wrote on him for Double Gun Journal.

His wife was very insistent on his keeping accurate and detailed records on the guns he did to make sure he was paid in full for his work. After she died Bob stuck to it; much of the log is on simple 3' x 4" spiral bound pocket notebooks he carried with him everywhere he went while working on the guns.

After Bob died, his oldest daughter's husband abruptly gathered everything available of that nature to prevent the obvious (fraudulent gun documentation, bogus attribution of Bob's work, etc.). It bothered some but it was probably a very wise move in retrospect.

The young lady Dean refers to in his earlier post is I believe Bob's granddaughter. I sent her a copy of my article and a couple of lengthy e-mails after getting the OK from her father (not the man who gathered up all Bob's records) to correspond with her. She thanked me warmly but never carried the conversations any further. I think she was just coming of age to realizing what an incredible talent and a wonderful man Bob was. I miss him.

Perhaps the PGCA (with Kevin’s assistance?) could make a formal overture to the daughters. They may not appreciate the significance of those papers or how placing such papers in the hands of the PGCA (or at least providing access) would solidify their father’s legacy.

-Victor

Has anything ever materialized from Victor’s suggestion?





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I heard that somebody on the Remington society website had access to the Runge engraving records and was putting together a book. I contacted a member of the site and he knew the people that were putting the book together and would get back to me but thats been several months now. I have a mint Remington 11-48 -28 gauge(F-grade) first or second year of production that is marked "RR" (Robert Runge). I would love to get something like a factory letter that verifies that he engraved the gun.

John, PM sent.

How nice if this information gets shared. Like many others I have a Parker 28 GH I would like to get documentation on.

I wouldn't hold your breath as another gentlemen on this site contacted me and said that he has been waiting for years for these men to release the information on Runges engraving records. By the way-I would love to find a 28 ga. GH like yours! Put a ad in the wanted section for GH or VH 28ga. but haven't got the first response.