question about another type of gun

waterman · Post by **waterman** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:07 pm

this is not a fox question but I have no where else to turn does anyone now enything about tht Three barles Gun Co. single barel trap gun I"m looking for one I have a couple of drillings and one double shotgun any info on this subject will help.

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:26 pm

From my observations it is easier to find one of these singles that Frank Lefever brought from Ohio when he moved to the Three-Barrel Gun Co. after his Father died, then it is to find their doubles. I'm on the road right now but there are some numbers given in Frank Conley's book on American Single Barrel Trap Guns. I have one of these singles marked Royal Gun Co., the 1908 to 1910 follow on to the Three-Barrel Gun Co. I did a two-part article on these West Virginia companies -- Hollenbeck/Three-Barrel/Royal Gun Co. -- in The Double Gun Journal a few years back.

Knothole · Post by **Knothole** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:25 am

why did the three barles company make singel barel guns? didn't odher companies have that markett niche?

Researcher · Post by **Researcher** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:43 pm

Frank Hollenbeck founded his gun company up in West Virginia in 1901, and they offered both double barrel shotguns and his three-barrel gun with a rifle barrel underneath. The Hollenbeck Gun Co. went belly up about 1904. The investors reorganized as the Three-Barrel Gun Co. in 1905, and Frank Hollenbeck returned to New York state. Upon the death of Dan Lefever and the demise of The D.M. Lefever Company over in Ohio, Uncle Dan's son Frank came to Moundville as superintendant of the Three-Barrel Gun Co. He brought the parts and materials to continue manufacturing the single barrel gun that D.M. Lefever Co. had recently brought out. These single-barrel trap guns were the only purpose-built single-barrel trap guns being offered by an American gun company at that time. I'm sure the reason they built them was in the hope of making money! Three-Barrel Gun Co. went belly up in late 1907 and the investors reorganized again as the Royal Gun Co. Royal closed its doors in early 1910. My two-part article on these companies is in Volume Thirteen, Issues 2 and 3. Back issues are available from the publisher for $15 each -- 800-447-1658.

Speaking of The Double Gun Journal, shouldn't we have a spring 2008 issue by now? Seems like I usually use to get one in time for the MACA show.

waterman · Post by **waterman** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:48 am

Researcher thanks for the info on the Royal gun Co. I hane a drilling marked Three barles gon Co. and one marked Royal gun Co. with a flying goose ingraved on it i also have a twelve gage shotgun marked Royal gun Co. I like all three of them Researcher woud you be intrested in selling your Single trap gun I woud be intrested in it also do you have any more drillings I love to talk about these butefun guns.