Several years ago at a gun show in Renfrew Ontario I bought a 16 ga. SxS that was purported to have originated in the Malin shop. The words " H.O. Heimbecker Gunmaker" are engraved on the barrels. A note accompanying the gun states:
Stock - Dave Catchpole
Engrave - Ron Collins
Case Colour - Art Troth
(Malin Group)
The action is clearly a German box lock - scalloped with cocking indicators and German proof marks. Barrels marked Krupp steel. The stock is very well made and attracted my interest in the first place.
I could find no reference to H.O. Heimbecker through extensive internet searches. Then I researched the above names and came up with a phone number for Art Troth. Here is what I learned from Art - a Cockney gunmaker brought over to Canada along with several others in the late 70's early 80's
H.O. Heimbecker was "Harry" - a gofer who hung around the shop doing menial task. He was there because of his father who was a rich and famous heart surgeon who likely commissioned gun(s?) from Frank Malin. Harry was barely tolerated in the shop but Daddy's money kept him there.
David Catchpole was a master stock maker now deceased. Ron Collins was an actioner not an engraver. According to Art he was a genius gunmaker last heard of living in retirement in southern California.
Frank was overwhelmed with orders for custom guns and made delivery promises that were unrealistic. This led to the use of cheap spanish parts to the utter disgust of the experienced guys in the shop like Art. A fraud charge against Frank was the beginning of the end.
Art had lung cancer and could now well be deceased since I spoke to him.
Precision Arms and Gunsmithing in King City Ontario have a Malin sidekick for sale. I believe that the earlier Malin guns are very good. Frank gave one of his creations to Charles, Prince of Wales - good advertising for Frank.
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