I wonder if custom gunmaker Ludwig Wundhammer (Wundhamer) who immigrated to Los Angeles from Europe in the 1880s I believe, was related to Austrian gunsmith Eduard Wundhammer (Wundhamer) of Ried in Upper Austria, active circa 1900. So if it is known where Ludwig was born, I would much appreciate this information.
Considering the outstanding work of both Wundham(m)ers I wouldn't be surprised if they were brothers...
Thank you.
With kind regards,
Jani

Ludwig Wundhammer used two "M's" in everything firearm related and one "M" one SOME documents such as naturalization, passport and such. Some records carry him with one "M" others two.

To answer your question he was born on August 23th 1853 in Ried, Austria.

Of interest also is that he arrived in April, 1883 aboard the ship SS Elbe and was listed as Ludro Wundhammer a locksmith.

Looking at my notes I see there was a gunsmith in Passu, Germany named Otto Wundhammer. Unknown if related.

Michael Petrov,
Thank you most kindly for your important informatiom.
Now it seems quite clear to me that Ludwig and Eduard were brothers.
For more information on Eduard Wundham(m)er please see "Info E. Wundhamer Austrian rifle (pics) RARE??" on this forum.
Eduard used different versions of his name as well. His earlier guns were marked Wundhamer while on later ones he put his name as Wundhammer.
- Jani

Jani and Michael, I want to thank you for sharing such important information! I am marveled at how you come up with such hard to find info.
As the owner of an E wundhamer, In Ried 16 guage sxs, I would love to know where I can find out more information about both Wundhamers'.
I would appreciate anything you can tell me!

Sincerely,

Perry G.

I like the way threads can take interesting turns, could we see some pictures of your Wundhammer?

You can see them here:
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...ge=1#Post141708

Pete

Your welcome, I had not visited this forum for several days and had not seen the Wundhamer thread. As a matter of fact I was busy putting together a Wundhammer that had been restored.

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9411043/m/971104608

Thanks Pete, You beat me to it!! My computer crashed and i was reloading it.

Appreciative as Always,

Perry G.

Michael Petrov, Thank you very much for the information! I went to your thread at accuratereloading.com and read the entire listing. First of all, I thoroughly enjoyed following the restoration of your Wundhammer!!! What a beautiful masterpiece!
Second of all, your knowledge and history of the "Wundhammer"
is astounding! Just reading your thread about it, has given me a geater appreciation of the "art" in Wundhammer and his works.

I noticed a similarity in the checkering of my Wundhamer compared to the checkering in your Wundhammer.

Is there any history on Eduard Wundhamer and the 16 guage SXS you can give me. I would bet that if there was ANYBODY alive that could provide me with a background on Eduard Wundhamer, it would be you!

Once again, I want to thank you for sheading some light on this matter.

Sincerely,

Perry G.

Folowing Michael Petrov's note that there was a gunsmith named Otto Wundhammer in Passau, Germany, "Unknown if related", I found some interesting information, as follows.

In 1925 gunsmith Wundhammer of Passau is known to present two target rifles for consideration to a shooting club. This was probably Otto Wundhammer (or maybe his son?).

At this point it should be mentioned that German Passau and Austrian Ried are quite near, by the German (Bavarian) - Austrian border.

Decades earlier we find Otto Wundha(m)mer in - you guessed it - Ried im Innkreis, Austria:

1892 - Otto Wundhamer inherited a house at Froschaugasse 8, from Agatha Knechteldorfer, born Wundhamer (his mother?).
But in the same year the house was sold to one Anton Frölich, which might indicate that Otto was (already) living somewhere else (Passau?) at that time.

Another house in Ried tells us quite something about Wundham(m)ers, and a number of other gunsmiths to boot: Schärdinger Strasse 9. Let us see some of its owners:

1763 Franz Cerregetti, gunsmith
1797 Franz Cerregetti, son
1797 Josef Hofer, gunsmith from Friedburg
1802 Josef Tschurtschentaler, gunsmith from Braunau
1857 Josef Tschurtschentaler, son, and Elizabeth, born Wundhammer
1866 Elizabeth Tschurtschentaler, widow
1873 Eduard Wundhammer and Karoline, born Ketti
1921 Karoline Wundhammer, widow
1927 Berta Wundhammer, married Domes, daughter.

As is often the case, more information can mean more confusion, so we would need additional historical research to get a useful Wundham(m)er family tree. I am in contact with the Town Office of Ried im Innkreis, and I'm looking forward to get pertinent information.

In the meantime we have now three gunsmiths by the name of Wundham(m)er, from the same time frame, from same Austrian town, probably not all brothers but likely related:

Eduard (worked circa 1870-1920)
Ludwig (born 1853, died 1919)
Otto (mentioned 1892, 1925).

- With kind regards,
Jani

Very interesting.
Russian gun expert, writer and scientist Buturlin noted Ludwig Wundhammer was one of the best American gunmakers.

Interesting information, I have never gone after E or Otto when looking for Ludwig information. I have nothing on anyone but Ludwig but will share what I think might help in your search for the other's info.

I may not have made a copy of the census report on him but remember his father was from Holland??? I'll try to go over what I have and post what I can when I can.

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Ludwig Wundhammer
Age in 1910: 56
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: Austria
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: Holland
Mother's Birth Place: Austria
Spouse's Name: Louise
Home in 1910: Los Angeles Assembly District 75, Los Angeles, California
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Ludwig Wundhammer 56
Louise Wundhammer 51

Michael,

You probably have this one.

Los Angeles, California City Directories, 1888-90
Name: Ludwig Wundhamer
Location 2: 27 West York
Business Name: H. Slotterbeck
Occupation: gunsmith
Year: 1888
City: Los Angeles
State: CA

Pete

Pete, Thanks, yes I have that but don't let that stop you from looking for more. New information is always welcome.

Michael, have you had a chance to look at my E. Wundhamer referenced in this thread? Since you are the apparent expert on Wundham(m)er, I would like to know what your thoughts are on the one I have.

Thanks,

Perry G.

First let me say that I know nothing about E. Wundhammer and until jani had put the pieces of the puzzle together I did not know he was L's brother. Reguarding your shotgun, I think it's very interesting and because of it much has been learned about the Wundhammer family roots. It appears to be a mid level shotgun and shows nice workmanship. Very few people know about or collect Ludwig Wundhammer rifles in American. For all practical purposes he was a man that in his day was considered one of the best custom gunmakers in America. Ludwig Wundhammer was rediscovered by the public about thirteen years ago so there are a few people who know about him now. You have already spent some time learning that no one knows of E. Wundhammer or his work. It's a interesting shotgun to me because of the family connection. I suspect that the value would be about what any European shotgun of the same workmanship would bring by an "Unknown" maker. Does this help?

Michael, Thank you for the time you've spent on this matter. I thought that based on your knowledge of L. Wundhammer, (brother of E. Wundhamer) you would be the one that would have more information about the family.

As far as the value, that is not as important as the history.

Thanks again,

Perry G.