The Story Behind the Book

The story behind Eldon Wolff's "Airgun" book.

by John Groenewold

The story begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1902. That is when Rudolph Nunnenmacher's family donated his gun collection to the Milwaukee Public Museum. Along with the collection was a large sum of money to be used to further the collection. Included in the collection were numerous antique air guns. Some of the available money was used over the ensuing decades to purchase additional air guns. There was a second major donation of airguns from the Nunnenmacher family during the 1940's. It was 1942 after the second donation that Eldon Wolff decided to start work on an airgun book.

The first correspondence related to research which lead to the Airgun book was dated 1942. It was between Eldon Wolff and G. Charter (Nick) Harrison. The subject of the letter implies that the two had previously agreed to corroborate on the preparation of the book. It laid the foundation for how they planned on obtaining additional airguns to be included in the book, as well as how the research was to be carried out. The contents of this and other letters of the time establish how the Wisconsin Gun Collectors Association was conceived. The Wisconsin Gun Collector Association was extremely important as it provided an additional base, separate from the Museum which they could use to conduct research, obtain airguns, and test theories. Many of the members of the Wisconsin Gun Collectors contributed to the book, research, or tracking down specific airguns for us in preparing the book.

During the ensuing years many air guns were located by one means or another. Often Harrison, who was quite well off, would see an airgun in some museum in Europe during his travels abroad. He would communicate his find to Wolff, who would then contact the museums curator in his official capacity and arrange to conduct research, borrow the airgun, or have the curator make crucial measurements for him. If the airgun could be borrowed it was usually given to Harrison to take home to study. This often involved disassembly and reassembly with copious notes, measurements and drawings being made. The literature portion of the research was left to Wolff. Often, a desirable airgun would be available for purchase at an auction or private sale. Wolff, usually left these purchases to Harrison although many were paid for with the Nunnenmacher funds and became the property of the Museum.

Wolff did not collect guns. He only had a few for his own use. However, Harrison did build a large and interesting collection over the years. These found their way into the book as they were readily available.

No research would be complete with out testing the airguns. This was often accomplished during a visit to a friends farm just north of Milwaukee. This usually involved Wolff, Harrison, and occasionally members of the Wisconsin Gun Collectors Association or other Museum staff as well as family and friends. During these field trips many accuracy and power (penetration) test and comparisons were made. On at least one such trip the power of several antique air rifles were compared to various charges of black powder used in a flint lock rifle. (Flint lock guns were really Wolff's main interest. He even made his own and used it and others quite successfully during numerous hunting trips.)

Work continued on the book until 1958, when it was published. However, in the mid 1950's, Harrison and Wolff had a falling out. Harrison stopped all work on the book and no longer wanted his name associated with it. By the time of the breakup of this unique friendship the field research was completed. Other members of the museum's staff were occasionally called upon to help in the research or type the manuscripts in an effort to complete the book. Because Wolff still regarded Harrison as a lifelong friend and recognized his contribution to the book. He gave Harrison credit for any work he did, as well as recognizing guns from his collection through out the book.

After the book was published, Wolff was recognized as the countries foremost airgun authority. Apparently, since he enjoyed airguns immensely he did not object to this success. In fact, he continued researching airguns. He even wrote several more booklets and articles on the subject as well as a movie and did some television interviews. Wolff retired from the museum in 1969 and died in 1972, at the age of 66 in Milwaukee, WI. Nick Harrison suffered serious health problems beginning in the 50's which lasted many years. He died in 1991, in Whitewater, WI.