Abercrombie & Fitch and Von Lengerke & Detmold sales records exist, and a research letter can be requested from Griffin & Howe
http://www.griffinhowe.com/research-main.cfm

Cornell Pubs has numerous vintage catalog reproductions for both A&F and VL&D
http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/his ... ngerke.php
http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/his ... -fitch.php

I remember Von Lengerke and Antoine in Chicago. They had great guns along with other high end sports stuff. Marshall Fields Men's store, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Eddie Bauers were all within a few blocks or each other in downtown Chicago.

A&F New York, 1913

Thanks for this link, Drew! I just got some info from Bob regarding my Westley Richards 16ga SxS, originally purchased in 1907 at Von Lengerke & Detmold.

If you are too young to remember these two great retailers rest assured you missed the true golden age of shotgun imports. Today's retailers couldn't hold a candle to these ICONS.

Have just received a package from Mr. Beach regarding a 20ga Westley-Richards purchased from Von Lengerke & Antoine in 1914. The provenance provided was much more than anticipated and well worth the fee charged.

Cool info and what a neat picture of the A&F shop.As a sucker for old guns and shells I really appreciate the catalog info.

I have some Von Lengerke & Detmold shells in my little collection. Sorry for the grainey image :



The headstamp says 1901 No 10.

To me there's something really neat about an unfired 114 year old paper hulled 10 gauge shell !

Neat and thank you!

Fred Gilbert (1865-1928) was one of the world’s best known shooters of his time, using a L.C. Smith to win the DuPont World’s Pigeon Shooting Championship in 1895 and the "E. C." Inanimate Target Championship Cup in 1896. Von Lengerke & Antoine Co. marketed a Winchester 12 gauge Live Bird load with a picture of Gilbert on the box marked SPECIAL WADDING GILBERT, 3 inch, 3 1/4 Drams DuPont, and 1 1/4 Ounces (1220 fps) No. 7 T.C. shot.

its funny to think about how A&F used to be an outdoors company, I didnt even know this until about 5 years ago. I just thought it was a place where preppy kids bought their cloths

One of my aunts bought all of her non-work, non-formal clothing there, she was a sophisticate.
My father took us to the Chicago store in the very early 1960's.
Growing up in Alaska my interests were mainly rifles.
Did not come to appreciate shotguns until much later.
Art

My first visit to A&F in New York was in 1960, when I was 14 years old. My last visit was for the liquidation auction in the seventies. I still have the catalog. How about those counterbalanced gun cabinet doors!!

Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago

Griffin & Howe showroom c. 1930s

I remember visiting A&F at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta and in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I would spend literally hours looking at those beautiful side by side shotguns. To me they were works of art - engraved, case colored and coin finish. It started my love for side by side shotguns. I didn't even know what make they were, only that one day I'd own one. and I do.

I worked downtown and visited VL&A many times. A great collection of shotguns, including Perazzi's. Also great assortment of shotguns at Marshall Fields Mens store, and Eddie Bauer.

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