1902 28 Gauge Ejector/Extractor Modification

[Joel Hackett]

I was wondering if anyone knows who possibly did this ejector/extractor modification on this VH 28 gauge or if they have seen others with the same modification before?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

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[Kevin McCormack]

Probably Josef Singer or Wolfsperger & Moran, both gunsmiths who offered ejector mechanism installation from roughly 1900 onwards.

[Dave Noreen]

The pin at the front of the frame, forward of the hinge-pin, is found on the Moran & Wolfersperger ejector installations. Moran & Wolfersperger broke up about 1904/5. By 1907 Mathew E. Moran was in partnership with Fremont P. Stannard, and Gus Habich in Indianapolis was installing the M & W ejectors.

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Pictures from Dr. Gaddy --

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[Dave Noreen]

By September 1903, the Moran & Wolfersperger ads were stating that they had fitted their ejectors to over 500 Parker Bros. guns --

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By 1904, they had reformed as Moran & Wolf Gun Co. with C.A. Cooper as President, Ross C. Wolfersperger as Vice President and Mathew E. Moran as Secretary, and their ads were offering "Our new Breech=Loading Hammerless Shotgun."

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In the Chicago City Directory for 1904, there is also -- Crowdus Battery Co. Frank H. Cooper pres; Chas. A. Cooper treas at the same 541 Wabash Avenue address. Chas. A. Cooper is also listed as treas of the Crowdus Automobile Co. also at 541 Wabash.

[Joel Hackett]

That would make sense. This gun was originally ordered by "The Fair" in Chicago in June 1902. It would have at least been local.

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[Dave Noreen]

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The R.C. Wolfersperger & M.E. Moran patent for ejectors on Parker Bros. guns is Patent No. 717,486 granted Dec. 30, 1902.