I had the honor to handle two rifles made by Frank A. Pachmayr today. One was a 1903 Springfield in 7mm Mauser and the other was on a Mauser 98 action in 30'06. They were remarkeable rifles in fit, function, and beauty.

Are there a lot of his rifles out there. What would these guns typically bring if sold. They were nearly perfect say 98%+

Question; when ere these guns made by Frank A Pachmayr? van

Are you sure they were Frank P. or maybe August Pachmayer, his father. In any regard I would love to see photos of any. Do you by chance know his grandson who owns several.
Here is one by the senior

quote:

Originally posted by van:
Question; when ere these guns made by Frank A Pachmayr?

A better source than myself would be Michael Petrov.

Frank Pachmayr was born in Germany in 1906, and came to America in 1907 with his family. He founded Pachmayr Gun Works in Los Angeles in 1929. The firm still exists, although Frank died in 1997. Frank did custom work on 1911 pistols also. He was voted Outstanding American Handgunner in 1985. He is also the creator of the recoil pads that bear his name.

August Pachmayr was an early custom gunmaker of some reknown. I believe Michael Petrov posted on this forum that August was active in California circa 1910. Michael was going to do some research on August, but at the time had not had the opportunity to examine his work.

I confess I don't know the relationship between the two men. Michael's research and writing are mostly pre-war gunsmiths. I do remember works of Frank's in some of the Gun Digests....that would definitely be post-war. I remember him being a supplier of wood to many of the contemporary custom smiths of the era.

GV

Edit: Frank provided good information. Thanks for the pictures.

I agree, Mr Petrov would be the source to go to as I know he is continuing research in this arena. I highly recommend his book
"Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century".
There is also another book available through, I believe, Safari Press about August.
I was told that August was honored this past year by the famous gunmaking community in Suhl. I had an opportunity to talk with his grandson who was hoping to make the trip there with a couple of the original rifles.


Here is a shotgun also by the Senior ca. 1904

I’ve only researched August and not on his son Frank. There is a good book out about the family and if you have an interest it might be worth while.

FRANK A. PACHMAYR: AMERICA'S MASTER GUNSMITH AND HIS GUNS. Lachuk (John). Safari Press Inc. Hardcover 1995.

There are not enough of these sold for me to keep up on the prices so each rifle would have to be evaluated on it own merit.

If you could share pictures and information on the rifle(s) I would try to offer up what I think of them if that would help?

I don't know how many custom rifles Frank Pachmayr built, but there are several of his rifles featured in a number of The Gun Digest custom rifle sections, in several issues.

In 1978, I had Frank Pachmayr build a custom rifle for me. He took me through his stock blank warehouse and helped me pick out a very fine piece of English Walnut.

I had a cherry DWM/Oberndorf 1909 Argentine rifle I'd been saving for a custom build in .280 Rem. Pachmayr did the usual beautiful job on it: 22" Apex barrel with Rem. Express sights, Winchester style safety, Canjar trigger, steel and wood checkering, 28 LPI, etc. etc. etc.

Beautiful rifle that with my handloads shoots 3/4" consistently. I've killed Black bear, Mule deer and antelope with it. (Took it elk hunting once in Colo., but didn't get a shot.)

I saw one advertised in the GunList this past summer, for $5,000. A .30-06, I don't know what wood, action, or barrel, etc., it had on it.

Pachmayr did very fine work.

FWIW. L.W.

FRANK----

What is his grandson's name? That Springfield is very similar.

Hi Michael. I think you had a chance to talk with my friend Paul who put me in touch with the grandson who owns the two takedown rifles I shared with you and others a while back.
I don't remember if I had sent you photos of this shotgun or not.
Leanwolf, I certainly envy you haveing an original. Very nice indeed. I would love to see photographs if that is possible.

333, I will send you a PM.
Frank

quote:

Leanwolf, I certainly envy you haveing an original. Very nice indeed. I would love to see photographs if that is possible.

Frank, considering that I am NOT a very good photographer, and the lighting isn't consistent which makes the stock appear to be different colors, here are some pictures of my Pachmayr Custom .280 Rem.







I put a Burris 1 1/2x5 scope, as the objective on the original Leupold, in the low Redfield Jr. mount/rings, showed the Front sight. Always intended to put a higher mount and rings but the Burris has worked so well, I never got around to it.

L.W.

Very nice indeed. Thanks for that. That is a very sweet looking setup. I especially like the floating diamonds outside the grip and forend.
Frank

Thanks for the compliment, Frank. One of the interesting things to me, also, was when Frank Pachmayr not only took me through his stock blank warehouse, but when he took me "back stage" in the store and showed me how the custom work was done.

merry Christmas. L.W.

Well, Frank Pachmayrs dad was the man know for his gunsmithing abilities,not Frank whom died in 1997. Franks brother,was the one whom worked on the 1911 autos.John was a great pistolsmith. Frank Pachmayr never worked on any guns,he contracted a lot of his work to germany,engraving and such. Checkering and fine that it was ,up to 40 lines per inch was done by Pete Thacker. Frank Pachmayr had many articles written about his work.It wasn,t his work,it was work done by some of his employees,and contract people. HE JUST TOOK the credit for it!!! Sorry epitath of a want to be,and never was. He had other people as well,find the wood for stocks and grade it.He also took credit for that as well.The woods came from the sacrameto valley. Just letting one and all know to set the record straight. I should know i use to work at the Pachmayr facility. van

A gentelman who sets up at all the local gun shows here in portland has displayed a pacmyer,(sorry about the spelling) 30,06 built i am almost sure, on an 03. It sure is a nice gun, and he wants I thnk 7,000 For it.
...tj3006

Well, Van, my rifle says "Pachmayr Custom," on the barrel, shoots 3/4" groups consistently, rain or shine, hot or cold, and the workmanshp is immaculate, so that is what counts to me.

When Frank Pachmayr took me back thorugh the gunsmithing/building shop, I watched several of his artisans/craftsmen working on the various aspects of building custom rifles.

Perhaps you were there?? On one occasion each, 1978, 1979, 1980, were the times I was back in the shop. Didn't seem to me as if Mr. Pachmayr was trying to hide anything.

Did you know George Koenig??? Or Gary Hardwick, or Kevin McCullough??

L.W.

Leanwolf, thank you for the photographs. You were fortunate indeed to be able to see history in the making. No matter who did what that company set a standard and created a whole series of innovations for the future.

Actually it is hard to tell who all built the custom guns sold through the Pachmayer shop, With the exception of those guns signed by August or other craftsmen. While I was talking with his grandson about the sale of items from the shop when his uncle Frank passed he said there were around 3000 rifles that came out of the shop many/most of which were built or worked on by August. Unfortunately because August preferred not to take credit for or boast about his accomplishments there is very little history to go with the splendid work that can be identified as his.
Thomas, is that rifle signed in any form? August did this on many of his rifles.
I am going to make a poiint of going to visit his grandson again and try to get some added info. It is also my understanding that the family has set up a trust to display some of his works. I need to find out about that as well.
Frank