doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New Year Quiz

There is an online news article today in the “Sun” (not my normal publication of choice) about Lyudmila Pavilchenko, the Soviet woman sniper credited with 309 kills.

One of the illustrations shows her in 1968 visiting what is clearly a gun shop in the West. I suspect it was likely to be in New York.

Online the photo was reversed, showing a shop full of left handed bolt actions.

Much as I approve as a southpaw I have unreversed the image for clarity.

No prizes - but can anyone identify the shop?

I'm guessing Griffin & Howe.

There is a very good looking boxlock laying on the bench, behind her.

Stan’s guess is as good as any. I was never there, and in 1968 my folks were putting together the move that got us off the east coast and into my Dad’s home state of Minnesota. Later in life, Dad figured he shoulda’ moved farther west.

Looking around, I’d have to agree.

Best,
Ted

Good guess, Stan, but back in the day, Griffin and Howe was a only a workshop through a door in the Abercrombie and Fitch gun room at 45th and Madison in Manhattan. Griffin and Howe wouldn't have had such a fancy gun cabinet. I would guess Abercrombie and Fitch.

Abercrombie and Fitch sounds quite likely, IF it is New York.

Might be Washington. I expect she was on an itinerary.

In 1968 neither side was happy about notable Russians wandering about too freely.

Fairly certain it isn’t London. I can’t see a clearly high class British gunmaker advertising instant paste gun blue so prominently (or at all).

There is a rendition of her life and visit to the United States available on YouTube.
After being seriously wounded in the war, she was retired out of active service, and became a spokesperson for the Russians. She was invited to Washington where she was feted by the Roosevelts. It’s a pretty interesting film.
Mrs. Roosevelt was fascinated by the extensive Soviet use of women in direct combat, and struck up a real friendship with her.
Most, I believe, would enjoy the story.

Stoeger's?

If there was an app that could enlarge and clarify the hang tag on the rifle she is holding we might find clues. I tried, but struck out.