Frank Lava's Gunsmith Shop in NYC: Then & Now

[357magster]

Not sure if this pair of photos has been posted on the forum before. My apologies if they have been. Just stumbled across them myself while googling around the internet. Being a fan of Then & Now photos, I couldn't help but share.

I wonder where that awesome sign is now ...

It would be the ultimate "man cave" centerpiece!

[/url][/IMG]

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Kind of an interesting side story about a NY photographer named "Weegee" perched above the store.

Weekend Explorer in the Naked City: Weegee’s New York at Night - The New York Times


Is that Frank Lava standing in front of the store?

 

[Ray]

John Jovino´s looked just the same !
Regards, Ray

 

[lawandorder]

Looks a lot cleaner when it was a gun shop than it does in the newer image.

 

[Tom S.]

Kind of an interesting side story about a NY photographer named "Weegee" perched above the store.

Weekend Explorer in the Naked City: Weegee’s New York at Night - The New York Times


Is that Frank Lava standing in front of the store?

That's some crazy story!

 

[kaaskop49]

My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I remember that revolver sign. Didn't that premises become John Jovino's shop?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Arik]

My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I remember that revolver sign. Didn't that premises become John Jovino's shop?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

That was a different shop across the street

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Danby]

Looks a lot cleaner when it was a gun shop than it does in the newer image.

I think people had much more pride in their business back then. The sad amount if trash on the sidewalk is a sign of the world we live in today..

 

[Arik]

I think people had much more pride in their business back then. The sad amount if trash on the sidewalk is a sign of the world we live in today..

Let's not exaggerate! It wasn't some golden times back then. People don't change. Let's look at facts.

NYC 1940s.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[ameridaddy]

Picture dated 1937, Lava was at 6 Centre Market Place, Jovino was at 5 Centre Market Place.
The photographer "Weegee" who lived at 4, as did Lava per his 27 Apr WW2 Draft Registration:
born 8 Nov 1894, Viggiano, Italy, Frank Lava, anglicized from Lagualano,
5'8", 145 lb.; in 27 Apr 1942, lived at 4 Centre Market Place, NY, NY
brown eyes, ruddy complexion, blonde hair
The big building taking the whole city block across the street, 240 Centre St., was at the time NY City Police Hdqtrs. It's now luxury apartments.
.

 

[Frank237]

I used to go to Frank Behlert's Shop up in Union, NJ in the 70's. He could tune a revolver!

He did a nice job an an all steel Colt Commander for me. Added a J frame, adjustable rear and a red ramped frt sight. Rounded off the sharp edges, trigger job, lowered ejection port, Armalloy finish, etc.

He ALWAYS seemed to have some cool handguns laying about whenever one visited. Loved his Bobcat, or whatever he called his mini auto conversions.

Another great store back in the Day....Ray's Sport Shop in North Plainfield! Bought a LOT of Smiths at Ray's.

 

[ameridaddy]

Let's not exaggerate! It wasn't some golden times back then. People don't change. Let's look at facts.

NYC 1940s.
...

I remember trash in the gutters, but we also had full time street sweepers in the city. I can still see their carts, a trash can with push handles like a hand truck, and about 30" tall wire spoke wheels resembling a balloon-tired bike wheel.
IIRC, the movement to stop littering started about 1963-65.

 

[Absalom]

I have posted this link in previous years. Nice blog entry about "Iron Alley" and its inhabitants from some years ago.

I have a Model 36 that shipped to Greenblatt when he was at No. 3 in 1959 and a Colt that shipped to Audley at No. 8 in 1915.

Lots of history there in that little side street.

Jeremiah's Vanishing New York: Guns of Centre Market

 

[handejector]

I used to go to Frank Behlert's Shop up in Union, NJ in the 70's. He could tune a revolver!

I remember Austin Behlert.
Don't remember ever hearing of Frank.....

 

[Frank237]

I remember Austin Behlert.
Don't remember ever hearing of Frank.....

Sorry....Yes Austin. I believe Frank was his son.

 

[Tyrod]

I think people had much more pride in their business back then. The sad amount if trash on the sidewalk is a sign of the world we live in today..

Gotta preserve the patina.

 

[joeb1]

I purchased a gun or two from that store late 60's early 70's.

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk