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Just curious. When did Pachmeyer stop doing restorations? rr

Pachmyr hasn't existed as a gunsmithing shop in many many years. I don't know exactly when it really went away, but the traditional shop probably dispersed when they moved out of the 1220(? from memory) Grand address in Los Angeles, which seems to me was in the mid '80s. I was in my twenties then and visited the store around then a few times as it was only a half hour drive. It was a dusty, musty store that had past its hayday by then. It still had some exotic guns displayed but seemed to be less focused on walk-in customers by then. I think they were purchased by a larger corporation around then, primarily for their grip and recoil pad products I heard, and they also took over the lease at the Whittier Narrows "International Trap and Skeet Range" around that time. They had a Pasadena store for a while and also a shop somewhere around Monrovia, CA which I had do some work in the late '80s.

I believe Les Pitman was part of the last shop under the Pachmyr banner and he is still doing work out of his shop/residence in Phelan, CA.

But for a full restoration, I would pick someone that specializes in that work and possibly someone that specializes in your make of gun.

No work needed.I know Pachmeyer did some fine restorations many years ago.Was this the era when Augie was keying the front door? rr

Boy oh boy- you guys wouldn't last minute one working in August and Frank PACHMAYR'S OP. in LA.. Them old Country German Haupbuchsenmachers were stickler for KORREKT-- AND THAT INCLUDE'S SPELLING THE MAN WHO SIGNS YOUR PAYCHECK PROPERLY-- PACHMAYR--NO OTHER WAY!!

Right on Foxy!!! I saw a Parker several years ago that was done by the Pachmayr's.Beautiful! Tks.rr

Pachmayr's work was flawless, and beautiful in it's own way, however IMO the upgrade work that he did on Parkers and M21s were way over the top. I guess I just don't care for the German style of deep relief engraving on an American classic double gun.

Pachmayr had at least two stores in Pasadena, but not at the same time. The first one I remember was just south of the Ambassador College campus (before Ambassador College existed?), probably late 1960's. I think it was on Del Mar, near the start of the Rose Parade route. Was an old multi-story white house facing north/east, and had lots of glass cabinets filled with neat stuff I couldn't afford. The other store was on the south end of the South Lake shopping district and was strictly a high-end retail operation, as I recall. This was in the 1980's and it did not last long.

I miss Kerr's......terribly. Here is to remembrance of all the great sportsman's haunts that are no longer..............

1984 Guns and Ammo Annual had an article about a Model 21 in 16 gauge that was turned into a work of art by Pachmayr's. I believe the gun was built for Tom Siatos of Pedersen Publishing. It was fitted with false sidelocks that were so well fitted you couldn't even see where they met the action. The engraving was stunning. The wood for the buttstock and beavertail was enough to make one drool out of the corners of one's mouth like Pavlov's dog. The fitted case was made by Marvin Huey and it came with the turnscrews, cleaning rod, and the necessary accourtments. The color photography did the work justice. I have seen pictures of Parker Trojans and VH models that Pachmayr's turned into A-1 Specials or Invincibles. The work was incredible. I have the book on Pachmayr and it has some beautiful photographs of the work that was performed within the confines of 1220 South Grand Avenue.

I passed on buying this gun, as I'm sure a few of you out there did also. It was a Pachmayr upgrade. If it weren't for the raised vent rib, I might have bought it at Vegas for about $5k as I recall.

http://www.bullseyesportingarms.com/photos.php?id=230&category=Shotguns