Sunday evening May 7, 1944 five men met in the home of Walter MacGregor on Cumberland Avenue in Wethersfield, Connecticut to discuss the formation of a new organization to promote their interests in the preservation, study and collecting of antique firearms. Gun Collecting, Buying and Selling The Guild and it’s members have been gathering … Read more
started 1944 Connecticut, Missouri 1892 Founded in East Alton, IL by Frank W. Olin – blasting powder for coal mines 1898 Franklin Olin formed the Western Cartridge Company – competitors got suppliers to limit raw materials – Olin diversified 1931 Western bought the Winchester Company. 1935 formed Winchester-Western 1944 Franklin Olin companies organized under Olin Industries, … Read more
1926 – 2018 1926 founded in Hamden, Connecticut 1932 purchased by Carl Gustav Swebilius During World War II supplied .22 pistols for pistol training D developed a silent, flashless pistol for use by OSS agents behind enemy lines 1962 – 1984 High Standard D-100 hammerless, double-action derringers 1968 acquired by the Leisure Group 1976 relocated to East … Read more
Started March 1919 New Haven, Connecticut O.F. Mossberg & Sons the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in USA 1866 Oscar Frederick Mossberg born in Sweden 1866–1937 1886 emigrated to the United States worked at the Iver Johnson Arms managed C.S. Shattuck Arms Co worked for J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co – he designed a small four-shot novelty … Read more
Aug 1916 Auto-Ordnance August 1916 founded by John T. Thompson 1919 first short run production Model 1921 made by Colt 1950s, Auto-Ordnance was owned and operated by Numrich Arms Corporation (N.A.C.) 1999 bought by Kahr Arms 1437 Railroad Ave Bridgeport, Connecticut About Auto-Ordnance Auto-Ordnance Corporation is the company created to build the Thompson submachine gun, one of the most … Read more
1870 Connecticut, New York, Kentucky 1870 founded by John Marlin in North Haven, Connecticut side ejection lever action rifles – good for shooters who need to use optics World War I one of the largest machine gun producers – M1895 Colt–Browning 1917 bought Hopkins & Allen Arms Company 1953 patented MicroGroove Rifling Nov 2000 purchased H&R 1871, … Read more
founded in 1868 – 1916 1868 founded by 5 people based in Norwich, Connecticut 1898 Hopkins & Allen went bankrupt 1900 lost factory and machinery in a fire 1901 factory was rebuilt 1902 acquired Forehand Arms Company 1905 warehouse robbed of all its inventory 1916 went bankrupt 1917 Marlin purchased the machinery, inventory and designs Hopkins … Read more
1867 – 1942 Meriden, Connecticut 1867 launched by Charles Parker in Meriden, Connecticut – Parker Snow Co – produced rifles for the US Army during Civil War produced mostly break-open shotguns – 242,000 produced gun of choice for: – Annie Oakley – Frank Butler (her husband) – Clark Gable 1934 acquired by Remington Arms 1942 phased out of … Read more
founded in 1866 New Haven, Connecticut 1855 the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company – Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson partnership – Norwich, Connecticut – largest stockholder was Oliver Winchester 1856 moved to New Haven 1856 Volcanic Repeating Arms Company went bankrupt 1857 Winchester and partner John M. Davies purchased the assets – New Haven Arms Company 1860 Benjamin Henry perfected the … Read more
founded in 1856 Connecticut, Massachusetts Smith and Wesson both worked at the National Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts 1852 Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson founded – the (1st) Smith & Wesson Company in Norwich, Connecticut – 1855 renamed Volcanic Repeating Arms – purchased by Oliver Winchester – Wesson stayed as plant manager with Volcanic Repeating Arms for 8 months … Read more
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