CptCurl:
I missed your 1st question on the subject but the initials note the person, or entity, who either drew/formed/finished the tubes or fitted or finished the joined tubes to the action. It appears that the pre-1900, or pre-mechanzied period, initials seem to indicate a craftsman who was somehow connected to a forge or metal working facility. But I think many of the set may have been lost in the gun making event. Helmut Schlegelmilch's maternal grandfather, Gebhard Helmuthhauser a Buchsenmachermeister employed by G.C./Carl Gottleib Haenel, was still working in the early to mid 1920s at an advanced age when Helmut was an apprentice to Haenel. Haenel had some sort of contract with Carl Wilhelm Aydt(target arms designer) and Helmuthhauser was doing most of the work with Herrn Aydt in a seperate room inspecting the final product, as well as firing it, and thus giving his stamp of approval. I really haven't seen much info regarding Gebhard Helmuthhauser and I suspect there were many other craftsmen who were in the same position and are sort of anoymonus.
But getting back to "K.S." it looks to have been for K. Schlegelmilch of H. & K. Schlegelmilch, a late 19th century and early 20th century firm. I don't think I know his first name yet. Like Schiwy, Forester, Geyger, Lindner sourced his components from makers in Suhl and possibly put the finishing touches on the longarm. Or once he had the process going, he would oversee that the finsihed product met his standards, much like Herrn Aydt but at his on shop. Some say the initial search is a rabbit chase and it may very well be. Schilling is a slight possiblity but for now I don't know of a Schilling fella with the first initial of "K.". And I expect to see other marks referencing the Schilling forge when a Schilling tube maker was involved.
Nice image of the lower rib.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
Last edited by ellenbr; 05/20/09 11:08 AM.
