Mach, M.- Prague

By Larry B. Schuknecht

To date I have found very little reference material about the Mach family of gunmakers in Prague. The following was found in Eugène Heer’s set of books Der Neue Støckel.

Matthias Mach, (1814-1881). Father of Wilhelm Joseph, Joseph and Eduard Mach. Originally from Karolinental near Prague.

Nickolaus Mach, Prague, operated circa 1850 to 1880. Possible a brother of Matthias. He exhibited at the 1855 World Exhibition.

Wilhelm Joseph Mach, Prague, 1854 until his death in 1877.

Joseph Mach, Prague, 1857-1873 son of Matthias, Presumed to have emigrated later.

Eduard Mach, 1845-1873, died in Vienna, Austria.

Early local notices in the Austrian papers show that Matthias Mach was an inventive and very talented gun maker. They also show that between October of 1865 and Dec. 1867 he moved from Carolinenthal to Prague. They follow with a Google Translation. The first is from the Dec. 8, 1853 Oesterreichisches Bürger-Blatt. Linz.

1853 -

"The imperial gifts to the Marksman and the Marksmen of Lienz are already in the hands of the lucky ones. The rifle, which is intended for the Marksman Kranz in remembrance of his successful shot on that unforgettable 10th of November of the Feast, was made by the gunsmith Mach in Prague. It is an excellent piece of work: the barrel, tang, furniture, engraving, rifling, and breech are all excellent. The heavy breechblock is made of bent silver in Rococo style, with a mount. A Tyrolean marksman with fine rifles is attached to the lid. On a flat shield, the inscription reads: "Emperor Franz Joseph." Three rifles, made by royal hands, are now in the hands of the Tyrolean marksmen. A cup from Emperor Leopold for the Landeck riflemen, a cup from Empress Maria Theresa for the Innsbruck riflemen and now this new cup for the Lienz riflemen."

At nearly the same time a notice In the periodical Bohemia of Dec. 3, 1853 announcing the gifts for a Scheutzenfest held in March of 1854.

“Marksman Kranz in Lienz (Tyrol) received a rifle, made by the Prague (Karolinenthal) gunsmith Mach, as an imperial gift for the Kaiserschiezen (Imperial Shooting) on ​​March 19th. The Lienz marksmen also received a heavy goblet made of bent silver in Rococo style with a medal. A Tyrolean marksman with a fine rifle is attached to the lid. On a flat plaque are the inscriptions: Emperor Franz Joseph”

The second is from the Amtsblatt zum Tiroler Bothen, Innsbruck, Oct. 3, 1865

"List of the exclusive privileges registered, extended, transferred, and revoked by the Privy Archives in May 1865.
   Mathias Mach, gunsmith in Carolinenthal near Prague, for improving the mechanism of Lefaucheux recoilless rifles. From June 12, 1865, for 2 years. Appointed: G., born."

The third notice is from the December 5, 1867 Amtsblatt zur Laibacher Zeitung

“Dec. 12, 1867 – To Mathias Mach, a gunsmith in Prague, for an improvement in the mechanism of pin-fire shotguns, rifles, etc., for a period of one year”.

The following images are of a 12 gauge Muzzle Loading Shotgun which recently sold on Guns International.