Firearm Factory of the Month: R.F. Sedgley

In the early days of rifle hunting, rifles were custom made by gunsmiths, sometimes three different craftsmen, one making the stock, one making the lock work (trigger and hammer) and one making the barrel. When you found a shop that employed all three craftsmen (or one craftsman with expertise in all three) the gun store would advertise "Lock, Stock & Barrel" available onsite.

This tradition lasted into the era of modern metallic cartridge rifles. During the later part of the 19th century and into the 20th century advancements were being made in both rifle and cartridge design, but these advancements were specifically for military rifles. After the Great War the surplus rifles were sold to sportsman and gunsmiths who would often "sporterize" these rifles to suit the needs of the individual hunters.

One such gunsmithing firm was that of Henry M, Kolb in Philadelphia. In 1897 a man by the name of Reginald F. Segley went to work for Kolb.

Kolb's original business included small rimfire pistols and other types of handguns (flare and tear gas). 

They also produced tools, notably socket sets. Note the name of the socket set is the "K&S" we can rightly assume this stood for Kolb and Sedgley.

After Sedgley took over the business in 1916, he continued making the small pistols and tools.

Some examples of the Sedgley "baby hammerless" pistols are shown below.

A Sedgley flare pistol

Sedgley was also famous (on infamous) for creating the OSS "Glove gun" seen in the Quinten Tarantino movie Inglorious Basterds

Sedgley tool ad

After the war (WWI) the company saw the massive opportunity in turning lowly military Springfield and Mauser rifles into modern hunting rifles.

An example of an RF Sedgley sporterized M1903 rifle:

The original location was at 2311 North 16th Street in Philadelphia; the business grew into additional buildings taking up address from 2311 to 2317 North 16th street. 

At one point they also had an office across the street at 2308 N 16th Street.

Sedgley passed away of a heart attack at the age of 61 on March 29, 1938. The tool line was purchased by the New Britain Tool Company.

What Remains:

Sedgley's name still comes up in conversations about guns and not just sporterized military rifles. He was a friend of many gun writers and hunters including Elmer Keith, it was Sedgley who helped Keith develop his famous #5 Single Action Colt revolver.

The factory buildings still stand at 2311-2317 North 16th Street in Philadelphia. the 2311 address is now home to the Highway Temple of Love Church.

Sources:


http://youwillshootyoureyeout.com/r-f-sedgley-inc-baby-hammerless-ejector-model-1929-22-short/

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=479639

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sedgley-1937-RF-Custom-Guns-Phil-PA-/291034038479

https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a18692/forgotten-weapons-sedgley-glove-gun/

https://www.forgottenweapons.com/sedgley-model-45-22-rifle-at-ria/

https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/3343-358/

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2018/2/7/i-have-this-old-gun-sedgley-springfield-sporter/

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=115831