February 7, 2005
Greg Brohman
226 3rd St.
Nashwauk, MN 55769
218-969-4921

Cody Firearms Museum

September 2004 I visited the museum and was seeking information on a gun/gunsmith, name of Erich Klebe.
The research department was about to close and the staff instructed me to fill out an information request form. I filled out the form seeking information on above named gun maker whom had invented a side brake o/u shotgun.
The report I received from the research department stated there is no information on said gun maker, But if I was to find anything on this individual to let the museum know.

I was searching for a completely different gun(Burnside English patent #2581) I found the Klebe patents going through the British patent office. http://gb.espacenet.com
My neighbor is a Grandson of Mr. Klebe and was showing me pictures of his Grandfather and the shotguns he invented and patented. He also told me about the law suite his grandfather won relating to the trigger mechanism from a pump action shotgun. He said his Grandfather lived much more comfortable after the law suite.
The patent dated Feb, 21, 1950 is the one refereed to and was heard in court in Minneapolis MN according to the memory of the Grandson. We are trying to find more on this, and would appreciate any help the museum could offer.
The shotguns were made in his gun shop located in the downstair part of Corey's Sport in downtown MINNEAPOLIS MN(located directly across from the main entrance to the Foshey Tower). Ted Williams (of the Sears Trademark ) is known to have one of the shotguns. One of the shotguns is said to be .410 bore.
Erich Otto Hellmut Klebe Was born 23 September 1893 in Berlin Germany. Family states Erich was an Armorer for the German Army during WW1 and Immigrated to the United States of America in August of 1923. Mr. Klebe was given space in the Kennedy Sports free of rent because of the numerous clients he drew to the store. In his latter years he set up shop in his garage. Mr. Klebe retired to Fort Myers Florida and died April 5, 1977 there at the age of 83.

We would be very greatfull to recieve information on any of the shotguns made by Mr. Klebe. Please click on the E-Mail form button towards the bottom of these pages.