Syracuse Arms

[Jack Pesci]

I was wondering if anyone knew of a collector group involving Syracuse Arms Doubles.
I have one that I love and I have some Syracuse parts. If anyone knows of a group or even an individual that has this interest please let me know.

Thanks,
Jack

[Dave Noreen]

Tom Archer is the Syracuse Arms guy. He and Jack Maedel wrote a series of articles on the company and the guns in The Double Gun Journal a decade or two ago.

[Nick de Guerre]

Tom Archer's SAC posts have been cut and pasted into more gun forum threads than I can count. It's a pity he doesn't get a nickel every time. He has shared his knowledge generously.

I asked him once over the phone why he hasn't written a book. He said there isn't enough of an audience to warrant the cost. And he's probably right...but I would damn sure buy two copies.

NDG

[Brian Dudley]

Interest in Syracuse Arms guns would also cross into Hollenbeck/Three Barrel/Royal guns as well.

[Nick de Guerre]

Don't forget Baker, and Baltimore Arms, as well. Frank Hollenbeck is unsung, IMO.

I would part with MANY seashells in exchange for a Frank Mason engraved Baker...the same for a George Glahn engraved SAC.

They're on my bucket list to be aquired after a Spangler Levefer and a Jacob Glahn Parker. Perhaps rounded out with a Krause Smith?

Such a sweet tooth and so little candy...

NDG

[Dave Noreen]

Frank Hollenbeck got around. He worked with W.H. Baker before W.H. hooked up with Lyman Cornelius Smith and moved to Syracuse.

A decade later Frank became superintendent at Syracuse Gun & Forging Co. about the time they moved to Batavia, NY. The dates of three Frank Hollenbeck patents appear on the watertables of early Baker hammerless doubles.

86541

Frank soon returned to Syracuse and founded Syracuse Arms Co. But, he didn't stay long. After a few years with Hollenbeck Lock & Knob Co. he came up with another double shotgun design.

Frank showed up in Baltimore in late 1899. Just in time for Ansley H. Fox to leave his partners in the Fox Gun Co., Balto., MD., U.S.A. and become a professional shooter for Winchester. Ansley's old partners formed a new company in January 1900, Baltimore Arms Co., and by 1901 they had built a new factory and were building a gun of Frank Hollenbeck's design. Despite the "old wive's tales" of Ansley H. Fox being involved with Baltimore Arms Co. he was neither an officer nor director of that company. During the first 2+ years of Baltimore Arms Co.'s existence Ansley was a professional shooter for Winchester. Ansley moved to Philadelphia and by November 1902 was busy founding Philadelphia Arms Co. Though the Great Baltimore Fire, 7-8 February 1904, didn't get it, just about that time Baltimore Arms Co. went into receivership.

Frank A. Hollenbeck didn't stay long in Baltimore. By 1901 he was up in West Virginia founding the Hollenbeck Gun Co., which was also belly up by 1904.

[Jack Pesci]

Thanks to all for all of the info.

[Craig Budgeon]

Daryl Hallquist (406) 580-9546 has a large collection of American doubles.

[Tom Dexter]

Jack
Just saw your post regarding Syracuse Arms; I always enjoy discussing SAC guns and am available if you wish to visit this subject again.
Thanks
Tom

[Drew Hause]

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=578951

[Kevin McCormack]

Dave and Nick's posts give but an inkling of the traffic in incredible talent (especially engraving) that orbited the big-name gunmakers in the northeast US during the 1895-1910 time period. Isolated groups of itinerant craftsmen, mostly bachelors, "followed the money" - a change in maker's location that offered even a $7-12 a week increase in salary was enough to spur most specialized workers on to new towns and broader chances for advancement. In one of his Double Gun Journal articles on the special features of the Ithaca Gun, Walt Snyder captured in a short paragraph the malleable spirit of these artisans, some of whom actually lived in the same boarding houses in places like Wheeling, WV and Ithaca, NY. By c. 1916, most of them rooted with makers like Remington, Ithaca, Fox, Parker, LC Smith, and Lefever. living out their lives and gunmaking careers there.