doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Matska S/N list

As many listmembers know, Franz Osipovitch Matska was a famous gun maker in St. Petersburg, Russia who made about 340 guns between 1883 and 1907 in St. Petersburg, Russia. An excellent article was written by the late Bill Wise and Geno Charcot and published in the Summer 2005 edition of the DGJ.

I am fortunate enough to own S/N 123, and I wanted to build a database of those Matska guns that still exist.

Listed below is what I have found so far from reading and searching the internet. I would welcome any input from others to help fill in the gaps.

Thanks,

John


1)s/n 17, 12 G, Sidelock, exposed hammers, Damascus bbls
2)s/n 123,12G, Boxlock, 30 3/4" Whitworth's Fluid Compressed Steel bbls, 100% rose and scroll engraving on receiver, bbls Weight 5.5 lbs.
3)s/n 177, 12G, Boxlock, 28" and 32" Whitworth's Fluid Compressed Steel bbls
4)s/n 221, 12G, Sidelock; exposed hammers
5)s/n 257, 24G, 2 bbl set
6)s/n 274, 12G, Sidelock
7)s/n 321, 12 G Sidelock
8)s/n 325, 28G-3" gun, with Whitworth barrels
9)s/n 331, 12G, Sidelock

Leopold Bernard barrels. The company ceased operation in 1890.

Tell us about your Matska.

Is this the boxlock that was for sale on this site a while ago?

Thanks

OWD

OWD,

Yes, I did have it up for sale and had a few offers, but decided to hold onto it. Here is some information and pictures: 12 gauge, 3" chambers, boxlock, 30 3/4" Whitworth's Fluid Compressed Steel bbls, sling swivels, 100% rose and scroll engraving on receiver. LOP 13 7/8", drop at comb 1 7/8", drop at heel 2 1/2". Weighs 5.5 lbs.

Nice looking gun. What does it say on either side of the action?

It looks like Matska something on the right. I can't make out the left.

Thanks

OWD

It translates to St. Petersburg on the left side in Cyrillic letters and the Greek letter "Phi" (abbreviation for "F")followed by Matska on the right side.

St. Petersburg with London proof marks on the flats. Not that unusual for other European gunmakers to "buy in" guns from the British trade in those days. Can't tell without more photos, but doll's head looks like maybe Webley A & W. The "19595" on the barrels is probably the trade maker's number, as it does not match the retailer's (no. 123).

The London marks on the flats are 1887-1896, and are both provisional and definitive. Not nitro. No "choke" markings. Seems odd. Are both barrels cylinder?

What's really strange is the absence of London's view marks which should be stamped on either side of the water table (both required view marks are present on the flats, but absent from the water table). Raw tubes alone were provisionally proved, but definitive proof required a barreled action in the white, and view marks were required to be stamped on both barrel flats and water table. All I can think of is that these barrels were on a different action when they went through proof.

More detailed photos would be helpful.

Is the Matska that the late Bill Wise owned on your list, if not I'll look it up for you.

400,

Thanks for the comments. What in particular would be helpful to have more detailed photos of?

John

Michael,

Yes, I have Bill Wise's s/n 274 on the list, thanks.