Charles Greenblatt Co.

kleinkaliber · #1 07-16-2009, 05:45 PM

I recently lettered a Baby Chiefs Special which came back as being shipped to Charles Greenblatt Co. New York. Doing a Google search I see Charles Greenblatt was/is a police supply business, which makes sense as I was told by the man I bought the gun from that the gun had belonged to a family member of the consignor of the gun. They were not sure what Dept. he worked for other than it was in Connecticut.

Does anyone know if Chas. Greenblatt sold to individual officers, or only LE agencies? Anyone else have a gun shipped to them?

digi-shots · #2 07-16-2009, 07:00 PM

The Charles Greenblatt Company was one of the larger S&W distributors in NYC. One of our forum members, Lefty, is very knowledgeable in this field. Hopefully, he'll jump in here and give you a little more info on them.

Here is a pic of my pre-model 32, "Terrier". It was shipped to the Charles Greenblatt Company, NYC on October 9, 1951.

This holster below is stamped "Frank Lavas", a NYC Gunsmith, (see photo) just down & across the street from the Charles Greenblatt Company.

Club Gun Fan · #3 07-16-2009, 09:30 PM

I have a Model 19-3 .357 Combat Magnum Special Production that shipped to Charles Greenblatt Inc on July 6, 1970. Factory letter reads" This revolver was listed as being built for Officer William B. O'Donald New York City Department of Correction. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 2 1/2 inch barrel equipped with a yellow ramp front sight, nickel barrel, nickel cylinder, blue frame and dark smooth rosewood grips. The invoice does not list the bobbed hammer or target trigger which may have been done at a later date."
I hope this helps

Tired Gunsmith · #4 07-18-2009, 03:34 PM

My shop was about 200 yards north of the shop owned and operated by Charles Greenblatt, his brother Louis and brother-in-law Sol Jacobson.
They had a retails tore as well as being one of the most active S&W distributors.
They left New York City went out to Long Island, then ceased operations.
Charles' ex-son in law Hy Gatsoff was at one time in my memory a New York City Police Officer.

donaldw870 · #5 07-18-2009, 07:38 PM

I own a 10-5 that shipped to Charles Greenblatt on July 9, 1969, just short of 5 months after my birthday. My dad's 15-2, his rookie gun, also shipped to Charles Greenblatt on Oct. 30, 1968. I don't know anything more about the company than what's in the above posts, which is much more than I knew previously. -Donald

cowboydave · #6 07-19-2009, 09:08 PM

Pre model 10 serial # C121XXX shipped 8-31-1950 to Charles Greenblatt
Co. per letter from Mr. Jinks. I was also shipped in 1950 so I was happy to get a birth year gun in this good a shape.
Dave

Monga · #7 12-02-2012, 09:41 PM

Greenblatt.....I am an expert on the subject. Any questions, I am at your service.

TACC1 · #8 12-03-2012, 01:27 AM

digi-shots, either I've not been paying attention, or you've been
busy. Great pics, as usual.
TACC1

Green Frog · #9 12-03-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monga

Greenblatt.....I am an expert on the subject. Any questions, I am at your service.

What an intriguing and generous offer, especially for a first post! How about starting us off with the precise location of Greenblatt's shop and the years of operation? Also, what other brands did he carry besides S&W? Did he also carry Colt, for instance? What about the leather goods LEOs need so much of? Finally, did he sell to LEOs only, or was he open to the public (with NYC gun laws as they were/are this would be most interesting.) Thanks again for bringing this trove of information with you to the forum!

Froggie

hiker45acp · #10 12-09-2012, 11:14 PM

Hi,
I too have a pre-model 36 Chiefs Special that was shipped to Charles Greenblatt Inc., in NYC, per Roy Jinks S&W Letter. My pre-model 36 was shipped to them in 1956. I did not know anything about them except what was in the letter and now what I am reading here on the forums. I have reason to believe mine was owned by LEO because of the markings on the back of grip frame. The markings are "M.D.C. 913". I am thinking MDC Police in Massachusetts which were aborbed by the MA State Police or Massachusetts Department of Corrections. I purchased this from a dealer in MA who said this came out of an estate. It is in great shape for its age and it shows some light carry wear in the grip area but still tight. (See photos). Would like to find out more so I will keep monitoring this thread. Thanks for the previous infomation posted here.

Sgt 127 · #11 12-10-2012, 01:09 AM

Chas. Greenblatt was a major LE supplier for the east coast. I don't have any guns that letter to them, but, I also collect Police badges. Though made by other manufacturers, Everson Ross for example, they would often have a little oval tab soldered on the back with the name Chas. Greenblatt NYC.

Monga · #12 07-15-2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Frog

What an intriguing and generous offer, especially for a first post! How about starting us off with the precise location of Greenblatt's shop and the years of operation? Also, what other brands did he carry besides S&W? Did he also carry Colt, for instance? What about the leather goods LEOs need so much of? Finally, did he sell to LEOs only, or was he open to the public (with NYC gun laws as they were/are this would be most interesting.) Thanks again for bringing this trove of information with you to the forum!

Froggie

Hello Froggie,

If ever there were three guys who lucked out, it was Charlie Greenblatt, Sol Jacobson a.k.a. Jake, and Louie Greenblatt, Charlie's younger brother. Before they got into business together, Charlie drove a milk truck that was drawn by a horse, Jake drove a fat truck, also drawn by horse, and Louie had some kind of job that did not require a horse.

These guys were hard-working people who came up the hard way. Charlie and Jake seemed to have very little formal education, but I can't say the same for younger brother, Louis. He was more polished and gentrified than the other two. He was also the workhorse.

Jake and Charlie were interested in police and guns, and joined the volunteer auxiliary police. New York City auxiliary police had absolutely no police powers. They're prohibited from carrying guns, and were told not to do anything except call for the regular cops, in case it was something that needed police involvement.

They both had pistol licenses, and used to enjoy going to the range to practice. They began to buy used guns, and resell them, for pocket change. At the time, in the middle 1940's, Colt was the dominant player in the law enforcement market, and Smith & Wesson wanted very badly to change that. Part of the problem was that most departments required cops to carry a six shot 38 sp. revolver off-duty, and Colt's Detective Special was much lighter, and easier to conceal than Smith & Wesson's six shot M & P 2 inch, which was a K-frame weapon. The five shot Chief's Special was prohibited, and nothing S & W could do would make NYPD change its mind.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Jake were doing pretty well buying and selling used guns for cash and trade. Each tired of the smell of horse manure that came with their delivery jobs, they decided to open a store, and devote all their efforts to a gun business.

In 1944, they moved into 3 Centre Market Place, which was surrounded by other police equipment/gun stores, because of its close proximity To New York City Police headquarters, as well as many State, City, Federal agencies.

Like the others, Greenblatt's sold to cops and pistol permit holders alike. Somehow, after incorporating and legitimizing their business, Smith & Wesson agreed to make them law enforcement "distributors". This was the turning point for Charles Greenblatt Incorporated. although, believe it or not, that was no great feat, because Smith & Wesson's were a hard to sell to law enforcement.

Yes, Froggie, anyone who had a badge or a NYPD pistol license, could buy a gun from Greenblatt. However, Smith & Wesson required all of its distributors to sell handguns at dealer price to cops and dealers. Others paid the retail price.

NYPD had strict uniform requirements requiring on duty leather goods, made by a company called Jay-Pee. There were no fancy rigs allowed, and these holsters were not form fitted and they had no strap to snap over the hammer. Naturally,Greenblatt sold that brand. At that time, holsters were very simple, both on and off duty.

(I've got to get to work, so I can't add any more at this time. I could write a book about the Greenblatts, but I don't know if anyone would be that interested in them.If there are any direct questions that you would like to have answered, I will oblige as promised). Otherwise, I'll assume that everyone's interest has been satisfied. I've got to catch the subway now, or I will be late for work.)

turnerriver · #13 07-15-2013, 07:22 PM

Monga, thanks for the very informative post.

This was one of the holsters on my display table of LE gun leather at the Kansas City SWCA annual meeting. It's a Heiser made model 459 holster for a Chiefs Special. Greenblatt retailed other leather makers' products as well.

Regards,
turnerriver

DWalt · #14 07-15-2013, 07:34 PM

I never knew about the Jay-Pee holster connection to the NYPD. I've had more than a a few of those pass through my hands without a thought as to what they were.

Green Frog · #15 07-15-2013, 08:54 PM

Monga, thanks for a really fascinating report. It's amazing what information can show up here, and don't worry about interest... somebody here (or likely many somebodies) will find it more than interesting. Your story has attraction for the LEO fans, S&W fans, and of course anyone who loves the Big Apple. Feel free to add more any time!

Thanks again,
Froggie

sw dan · #16 07-15-2013, 09:19 PM

hi s&w fans,
i purchased my first off duty model 36, 2" in 1973 from greenblatt's, for $73.00. at that time their store was on long island.....sw dan

shamuscull · #17 07-15-2013, 10:21 PM

I purchased police equipment from Charles Greenblatt store when they were located in Suffolk County, New York. I think it was Hauppage. I don't remember if I purchased my S&W model 640 from them or from Standard Law in Nassau County, New York.

Sgt 127 · #18 07-15-2013, 10:45 PM

The NYPD Jay Pee duty holster is actually a unique design and was fairly secure. The gun sat in the holster pretty deep and there is a lip of leather that holds it in. To draw, you stuck your thumb down inside the holster, or twisted the gun, out and away from the the leather lip that was over the recoil shield. I have a couple of the in my collection and have made a few.

shouldazagged · #19 07-15-2013, 10:55 PM

Fascinating post, Monga--welcome to the forum, from Louisville. I for one would like to hear more about the Greenblatt operation. I love that kind of stuff.

perrazi · #20 07-15-2013, 11:39 PM

I sold for them in the Midwest for a period of time when they were on long island. met the younger of the Greenblatts and was quite a guy. very smooth and a total businessman.

JudgeColt · #21 07-15-2013, 11:56 PM

The Charles Greenblatt Company was such a big distributor that even a Colt guy has a couple! I have Chiefs Special 6XX that shipped to Greenblatt on November 9, 1951, and .357 Magnum 3.5-inch S-156XXX that shipped to Greenblatt on July 19, 1955.

Monga's post seems to imply that Smith and Greenblatt could not get the NYPD to accept the 5-shot Chiefs Special in the 1940s, thereby losing out to the 6-shot Colt Detective Special. Of course, that cannot be since the Chiefs Special was not introduced until 1950.

Randy · #22 07-16-2013, 10:02 AM

This pre 27 shipped to Charles Greenblatt. The card was in the box when I bought this one and a factory letter confirmed it.

Randy

29-1 · #23 07-17-2013, 09:19 AM

Fascinating thread and thanks to Monga for his insight on the Greenblatt company. Here's a Terrier that shipped in Nov 1950 directly to the NYPD so this may have been right before Greenblatt became the LEO distributor for S&W?
Chuck

wheelgun28 · #24 07-17-2013, 12:57 PM

The way I understand it is the NYPD had/ has an armory and would sell guns directly to officers. However you weren't forced to buy from them you could go outside and buy approved guns.

It seems to have worked slightly differently in different eras. Sometimes outside purchases had to be inspected and approved by the department.

It seems that at times certain guns weren't in stock by the department is when outside purchases were made. I guess everyone wants the new thing?

Heres a Jay Pee NYPD duty holster

I have more Jay-Pee stuff too, hand cuff case, ammo dump duty belt etc.

I think Jay-Pee was/is in Queens NY.

Jay-Pee is still around located in Flushing.
http://www.jaypeepoliceproducts.com/

chief38 · #25 07-21-2013, 08:41 AM

I knew Louis Greenblatt very well (in the early & mid 80's) since he had a HUGE retail/wholesale showroom and warehouse on Motor Parkway in Commack, Long Island, down the street where my office was at the time. I bought MANY guns from him personally as well as ammo, holsters, and accessories. I also spent many a lunch hour drooling all over his gun counters and actually did some Custom Picture Framing for him. About 6 years or so later for reasons unbeknownst to me, he lost his FFL and moved down the street to a very small store front where he was only allowed to sell Police, Fire, and such Uniforms and accessories. I never found out what happened, but it was a sad ending to a huge business that he and his brother had built up. I can still remember his gruffy voice telling me "hey kid, you should buy this gun - I'm giving you a great deal". The guns were great, the prices......... ehhh.

29-1 · #26 07-21-2013, 03:14 PM

Here's an example of a Greenblatt ordered S&W that was headed to the Louisiana State Police. Evidently the company represented LE Agencies outside of NY. I've posted this gun before, but since there was a Greenblatt connection here it is again. It is one of the favorite Model 29s in my collection.
Enjoy

Chuck

S199638, is a Model 29 shipped Jan 5, 1960 to Charles Greenblatt in NYC who was one of S&Ws largest distributors at the time. Greenblatt was also a distributor for the Louisiana State Police who received this Model 29 and then resold it to a LA State Trooper. Notice the time payment plan. I don't know if $5.00 per pay period was every week, two weeks or a month. But, $5.00 was serious money in 1960 as I recall.
Actually this thread is as much about the presentation case as it is the revolver. This is a good example of what collectors refer to as the "transition case." The case was a combination of the earlier black box liner and tools and the later mahogany wood case. This one is probably one of the earlier examples due to its style latch found most often on the 1956/57 black boxes. For reference, the triangular latch was more common on the 1958-59 black boxes. Exactly when the transition from black box to wooden box occurred is anyone's guess, but I think it was somewhere around 1960. I do not believe this style case was in production long though, because I have revolvers shipped in early 1961 that are in the later clam shell style case.

__________________
Rangers Lead The Wa

29-1 · #27 07-28-2013, 01:20 PM

Back to top. Any more examples of Greenblatt shipped LEO guns?

rposton · #28 02-21-2014, 11:37 AM

Was glad to see info about Greenblat Co. My pre-29 44magnum was shipped to them July 30, 1957 per Jinks letter. I assumed that was the end of story. How cool to find so much here. Now I want to know who gold plated several components (trigger, hammer, latch, crane)

weatherby · #29 02-21-2014, 11:53 AM

another of their special order ones

Club Gun Fan · #30 02-21-2014, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiker45acp

Hi,
I too have a pre-model 36 Chiefs Special that was shipped to Charles Greenblatt Inc., in NYC, per Roy Jinks S&W Letter. My pre-model 36 was shipped to them in 1956. I did not know anything about them except what was in the letter and now what I am reading here on the forums. I have reason to believe mine was owned by LEO because of the markings on the back of grip frame. The markings are "M.D.C. 913". I am thinking MDC Police in Massachusetts which were aborbed by the MA State Police or Massachusetts Department of Corrections. I purchased this from a dealer in MA who said this came out of an estate. It is in great shape for its age and it shows some light carry wear in the grip area but still tight. (See photos). Would like to find out more so I will keep monitoring this thread. Thanks for the previous infomation posted here.

The MDC was the Metropolitan District Commission. The Department of Conservation and Recreation was formed in 2003 under Governor Mitt Romney, when the former the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) were merged to form the DCR.

05CarbonDRZ · #31 02-21-2014, 02:22 PM

Here is my Nickel Baby Chief shipped to Greenblatt.

bdGreen · #32 03-03-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 29-1

Back to top. Any more examples of Greenblatt shipped LEO guns?

This thread is up for an annual renewal.

Not LEO, but...

I have this Model 29-2 with the sales receipt from Greenblatt. It looks like it was purchased by a mechanic. I believe the words 'St. Emanuel' are following his title.
The issuing 'office' is written Judge Paul Murphy.
Goldblatt address published as 120 Main Street, Hempstead, NY, 11550.
The purchase is listed as Heinz Kanitz. His address is written as 5 Weather Oak Hill, New Windsor, New York.

Anyway, if anyone knows this buyer or has any information to add to this wonderful firearm with the original sales receipt feel free to chime in.

Enjoy,
bdGreen

amazingflapjack · #33 03-19-2015, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weatherby

another of their special order ones

how about some pics of the Pinto?!

Andrew2105 · #34 03-19-2015, 06:23 PM

Greenblatt? I've got to learn how to upload in a decent size sorry..

gaucho1 · #35 03-19-2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amazingflapjack

how about some pics of the Pinto?!

I will second that with a Please.....................

DCWilson · #36 03-20-2015, 12:03 PM

Bruce, beautiful gun.

I think the phrase defining Mr. Kanitz' occupation is "Mechanic -- self employed."

weatherby · #37 03-20-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaucho1

I will second that with a Please.....................

Sorry an oldie I've posted often and one from the cell phone but at least it's new.
I also got the GREENBLATT in thanks to Kris

USMC0802 · #38 03-29-2015, 07:48 PM

Just got my letter a couple of days ago. Combat Magnum shipped 8 April 1959 with TH, TT, and TG.

Absalom · #39 11-17-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC0802

Just got my letter a couple of days ago. Combat Magnum shipped 8 April 1959 with TH, TT, and TG.

Time to revive this thread, and an interesting coincidence related to the previous post, because the Model 36 whose letter I just received also shipped to Greenblatt on April 8, 1959, highly likely in the same shipment.

This gun was carried by an NYPD detective. While I have no documentary proof, I purchased it through a retired NYPD officer who now has an FFL from an active-duty Suffolk Co. LEO (I checked that out independently), so I have no reason to doubt the veracity of their claim.

It's also my second Centre Market Place gun. I've got a Colt PP that shipped to Audley at 8 Centre Market Place in 1915, and now the Mod. 36 that went to Greenblatt at 3 Centre Market Place in 1959.

Jeremiah's Vanishing New York: Guns of Centre Market

ISCS Yoda · #40 02-01-2016, 08:18 PM

What a great thread!!! I'll join in the renewal!

Monga - did you ever post the actual original street address? If it's above I must have missed it.

Back in the day I used to shoot at an underground range on Murray Street in lower Manhattan (there was not an abundance of ranges in NYC; I wonder it is still there). John Jovino had a shop nearby; I never got to go into it.

This was the range up until a few years ago; not sure now:

Downtown Rifle & Pistol Club
24 Murray St, New York, New York 10007
(212) 233-5420

I know the Jovino shop is in the Little Italy/Chinatown area but I seem to recall it near City Hall but I was very young and probably very mistaken.

HeyJoe · #41 02-02-2016, 12:53 AM

Jovino was on Centre Market Place also. I bought a couple of guns from there. its not far from city hall but its in Little Italy.

stu1ritter · #42 02-02-2016, 01:35 PM

I shot at the Murray St. range every Saturday morning while I was in high school to practice for our high school matches. It was, as far as I knew, in the mid 50's, the only range in the city. Here is an old photo I don't remember where it came from. I remember the booths and that table. I don't think it exists anymore.

ISCS Yoda · #43 02-02-2016, 04:49 PM

My dad's office warehouse used a 17 Park Place address but the building opened on both sides and I think it was 16 Murray Street in back. That's how I discovered that range!

stu1ritter · #44 02-02-2016, 04:58 PM

I just looked at the address on Google Earth, street view. The address is still there but the neighborhood looks a wee different than it did when I was practicing for the Stuyvesant rifle team. My fathers place was on 22nd and 12th.

iralangstein · #45 03-07-2022, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monga

Hello Froggie,

If ever there were three guys who lucked out, it was Charlie Greenblatt, Sol Jacobson a.k.a. Jake, and Louie Greenblatt, Charlie's younger brother. Before they got into business together, Charlie drove a milk truck that was drawn by a horse, Jake drove a fat truck, also drawn by horse, and Louie had some kind of job that did not require a horse.

These guys were hard-working people who came up the hard way. Charlie and Jake seemed to have very little formal education, but I can't say the same for younger brother, Louis. He was more polished and gentrified than the other two. He was also the workhorse.

Jake and Charlie were interested in police and guns, and joined the volunteer auxiliary police. New York City auxiliary police had absolutely no police powers. They're prohibited from carrying guns, and were told not to do anything except call for the regular cops, in case it was something that needed police involvement.

They both had pistol licenses, and used to enjoy going to the range to practice. They began to buy used guns, and resell them, for pocket change. At the time, in the middle 1940's, Colt was the dominant player in the law enforcement market, and Smith & Wesson wanted very badly to change that. Part of the problem was that most departments required cops to carry a six shot 38 sp. revolver off-duty, and Colt's Detective Special was much lighter, and easier to conceal than Smith & Wesson's six shot M & P 2 inch, which was a K-frame weapon. The five shot Chief's Special was prohibited, and nothing S & W could do would make NYPD change its mind.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Jake were doing pretty well buying and selling used guns for cash and trade. Each tired of the smell of horse manure that came with their delivery jobs, they decided to open a store, and devote all their efforts to a gun business.

In 1944, they moved into 3 Centre Market Place, which was surrounded by other police equipment/gun stores, because of its close proximity To New York City Police headquarters, as well as many State, City, Federal agencies.

Like the others, Greenblatt's sold to cops and pistol permit holders alike. Somehow, after incorporating and legitimizing their business, Smith & Wesson agreed to make them law enforcement "distributors". This was the turning point for Charles Greenblatt Incorporated. although, believe it or not, that was no great feat, because Smith & Wesson's were a hard to sell to law enforcement.

Yes, Froggie, anyone who had a badge or a NYPD pistol license, could buy a gun from Greenblatt. However, Smith & Wesson required all of its distributors to sell handguns at dealer price to cops and dealers. Others paid the retail price.

NYPD had strict uniform requirements requiring on duty leather goods, made by a company called Jay-Pee. There were no fancy rigs allowed, and these holsters were not form fitted and they had no strap to snap over the hammer. Naturally,Greenblatt sold that brand. At that time, holsters were very simple, both on and off duty.

(I've got to get to work, so I can't add any more at this time. I could write a book about the Greenblatts, but I don't know if anyone would be that interested in them.If there are any direct questions that you would like to have answered, I will oblige as promised). Otherwise, I'll assume that everyone's interest has been satisfied. I've got to catch the subway now, or I will be late for work.)

I know this thread is many years old, but I thought I would reply. Charles Greenblatt was my grandfather. He lived until 93 and passed away. in Boynton Beach, FLa in December, 2001 peacefully. It is gratifying to see all the mentions of him here, and that his legacy lives on.

DCWilson · #46 03-07-2022, 10:01 PM

Ira, thank you for contributing to this thread. I didn't have a Greenblatt S&W at the time this thread started, but in the intervening years I managed to acquire an uncommon Model 11-4 which he had sold. In an action to clean out vault stock for which there was no demand, S&W shipped several specimens of this model (as well as other models) to your grandfather's business in late 1970. The presumption is that they were all sold to individuals, and that some individuals may have bought more than just one of them. These revolvers chambered a .38 cartridge not used by departments and agencies in the United States, and there was no law enforcement interest in them. S&W had originally manufactured them for export to Commonwealth countries for which that round was standard.

demkofour · #47 03-07-2022, 11:27 PM

I visited Greenblatts numerous times in the 80s and 90s, first when they were in the big warehouse/retail store on Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge and later on the LIE Service Road in Brentwood. I delt mostly with Stan who was the retail sales guy and a true gentleman. The counters were generally very stocked with all sorts of Smiths and a couple of other make guns and it was always a pleasure to deal with the guys and the gals there.
I think once Suffolk County PD and neighboring associated agencies went to GLOCK in the early 90s, Greenblatts lost their “hold” on the local LE handgun market and the business sadly faded away…

richardj · #48 04-10-2023, 11:14 AM

found this going through some catalogs and a search lead me here.
Never bin to Greenblatts but visited Sile and Jovino a number of times when they were on Center Mkt St. and Zirmos on Warren St.

Green Frog · #49 04-10-2023, 12:02 PM

I’m happy to see this thread emerge once again. It’s a treat for folks interested in LEO guns (and leather) as well as anyone else interested in S&W’s rise to prominence in NYC during the ‘50s.
I wonder whether Monga is still around.
Froggie

ISCS Yoda · #50 04-10-2023, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda

What a great thread!!! I'll join in the renewal!

Monga - did you ever post the actual original street address? If it's above I must have missed it.

Back in the day I used to shoot at an underground range on Murray Street in lower Manhattan (there was not an abundance of ranges in NYC; I wonder it is still there). John Jovino had a shop nearby; I never got to go into it.

This was the range up until a few years ago; not sure now:

Downtown Rifle & Pistol Club
24 Murray St, New York, New York 10007
(212) 233-5420

I know the Jovino shop is in the Little Italy/Chinatown area but I seem to recall it near City Hall but I was very young and probably very mistaken.

Okay, I'll join in the revival.

It's been a few years since I was in Little Italy/Chinatown, NYC, but I did meander into the Jovino shop at the time.

However, my father had his business at 15 Park Place, the next street over from Murray Street. He had an office and a warehouse on the second floor, as I recollect. The rear, loading elevator opened up to Murray Street in the back of the building. That Downtown Rifle & Pistol Club was a couple of doors down and when I was old enough to own a rifle (which included my possession of my dad's F.W. Heym .22 caliber, single shot bolt gun and my Remington Model 788 in .308) that was where I did my shooting, at 24 Murray Street. Thanks for the memories!!!

What I can't recall correctly is whether the gun shop that I remember as Jovino's was on that same block or if there was another shop on Murray Street. A very dim memory for that but not for the shooting range! I loved that place.