Anyone remember Robt Abels Antique Firearms in NYC?

[Radioactive]

Years ago, back in the early '60s, there used to be an antique firearms and weapons dealer located in Manhattan by the name of Robert Abels. If I recall his storefront was on Lexington Ave in mid-town. I remember going there many times with a friend, who worked as a gunsmith at Continental Firearms, he bought quite a few interesting rifles from Abel's over the years. I went back to the location some ten years later and it was gone, replaced by an antique lamp store.

[retiredgunsmith]

Robert Abels and his lifetime companion Bernard Day hade their shop at 860 Lexington Ave, In NYC.
.
Both gentlemen retired many years ago, and have since died.

[Radioactive]

Thanks for the update, do you know what became of Continental Firearms on 5th Ave?

[flusher]

And do we remember Bannerman's Castle 0n Pollepel Island which was called Bannerman's Island Arsenal

[Calibre 38]

Yes; Radioactive, Visited Robert Abels many times back in the day..Lots of "stuff"..Flusher: Never went to Bannerman's Island, but did visit his store in Bayport on Long Island,N.Y. after the move from the island..Jim

[tommix]

Went to Robert Abels place in the early 1950's, still have a couple of his catalogs. I believe he semi-retired to SE Florida in late 60's and for several years dealt only in collectible knives, Bowie's, etc. I had bought 2 Colt percussions from him as shown in his catalog # 29. A '61 Navy model, .36 cal, $65.00 and a '62 belt model with "semi-fluted cylinder", also .36 cal., $55.00. Even back in 1953-54, he could not allow me to take the 2 complete guns with me back to Massachusetts, he was required to mail the 2 cylinders to my college address in Mass. Combination of both NY City law and Mass. even in the 1950's. I had all the nipples drilled out and replaced and shot both pistols many times. His store was quite a place, at the time he was also a consultant to many TV shows from NY and often supplied or rented the proper guns to them for TV productions. His catalogs were great wishbooks in the 1950's.

[rhmc24]

Do I remember!! I was a member to Long Island Antique Gun Colectors and Ables frequently came to our meetings, looking for guns and other stuff. I had bought some wierd looking swords in England I sold to him. Said no real marker for them but were the kind of thing he would rent out for NY stage produtions. I visited his shop once and he told about talking on the phone about delivering a typewriter. He was stopped in his car by FBI looking for a tommy gun. The FBI had is phone tapped. ('typewriter' was a term for tommygun at the time)

[Malysh]

Do I remember!! I was a member to Long Island Antique Gun Colectors and Ables frequently came to our meetings, looking for guns and other stuff. I had bought some wierd looking swords in England I sold to him. Said no real marker for them but were the kind of thing he would rent out for NY stage produtions. I visited his shop once and he told about talking on the phone about delivering a typewriter. He was stopped in his car by FBI looking for a tommy gun. The FBI had is phone tapped. ('typewriter' was a term for tommygun at the time)

Did you ever live on Long Island or near NYC? That's where I grew up. I know you are from the west.
I'm just curious.

[Armyphotog]

The Sixties! Try the Fifties. I used to send for his catalogs with the drawn pictures of the guns, swords, and whatever. I still have a couple. I was just a teenager and longed for some of those guns back then, but I was a kid and no money. I remember you could buy a Civil War carbine in perfect condition for about $100 to $150. Of course, back then my Dad made about $50 a week. His house cost $3,000 to build and was on a 30 year mortage, I guess. Everything is relative.

Still have a Bannerman catalog, as well.

[macey109]

I grew up on LI. I need to ask my dad if he recalls any of those places. I grew up catching blues and stripers right outside cold spring harbor.