Meriden Firearms Co.

Meriden Firearms Co
Private
Industry Firearms
Fate Dissolved
Founded 1905
Defunct 1918
Headquarters Meriden, Connecticut, U.S
Area served
 Predominately U.S
Key people
 Albert James Aubrey, Fred Biffar, William H. Gough
Products Shotguns, Revolvers, Rifles
Parent Sears, Roebuck and Company

The Meriden Firearms Company of Meriden, Connecticut, USA manufactured small arms from 1905 to 1918. Meriden manufactured twenty varieties of hammer and hammerless revolvers with an output of 100 guns a day in 1906. In addition to pistols the company manufactured several types of shotguns and rifles.[1]

The Meriden Firearms Company was formed when Sears, Roebuck & Co. purchased the Andrew Fyrberg & Sons firearms manufacturing plant and moved the plant and machinery to Meriden, Connecticut, 1905 in the Malleable Iron Company's plant.[1] The company started manufacturing firearms mid 1905. They sold their guns through the Sears catalog as well as via other retailers (using different tradenames). Meriden introduced the Model 15 Slide-action .22 rifle based on Savage patents in the fall of 1912. In 1918 Sears announced that the Meriden Firearms Company would discontinue the manufacture of sporting firearms.

Meriden Firearms represented a selection of good-quality, relatively low-cost firearms of which many survive in operational condition more than 100 years later.


Revolvers

Meriden .38 pocket pistol

Meriden manufactured double-action top-break revolvers in various barrel lengths and finishes. Calibers were either .32 S&W or .38 S&W with either an exposed or enclosed hammer. The barrels were marked "Meriden Firearms Co. Meriden, Conn USA". These guns were referred to as "pocket pistols" and were made between 1905 and 1915.[2] Meriden manufactured twenty varieties of hammer and hammerless revolvers with an output of 100 guns a day in 1906.[1]

Double barrel shotguns

Meriden manufactured 12, 16, and 20 gauge sidelock double-barrel shotguns fitted with steel, laminated, twist, and Damascus barrels. Some of these guns were engraved by artisans who formerly worked for Parker (also located in Meriden) They made hammer and hammerless varieties and are sought after by collectors. The shotguns were well made and available in a variety of grades. All had automatic safeties and cocking indicators. Barrels could be had in twist, damascus of several grades, armory steel or Krupp steel. Hammerless or hammer shotguns with varying amounts of engraving were available.

Employees

Aubrey Shotgun_number 1000 owned by Daryl Hallquist

John Aubrey was born January 1, 1826 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. Mary McKenna was born May 13, 1828 Talywain, Monmouth.

In 1856 John made the crossing alone from Liverpool to New York on the ship Atlantic. He brought over his wife and 2 children the next year.

Altogether John and Mary had 4 children. Elizabeth Jane Aubrey b 1852, d 1931 Alfred J. Aubrey b 1854, d 1933 William Henry Aubrey b 1857, d 1922 Albert J. Aubrey b 1863, d 1947 Clara May Aubrey b 1868, d 1939

In 1880, John was working as a Silversmith in Meriden. This was most likely at the Britannica Silver works. Also in this year, Alfred is listed as a clergyman, while Albert is working in a factory. No indication is given in the census about what type of factory Albert was employed at.

Eventually, Clara married Arthur Proudman. By 1900 she had her father living with her growing family in Meriden, CT.

In the 1890 Meriden city directory, William was an engraver.

During the first half of the 1890s Albert was the plant superintendent at Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. in Wilkes-Barre, PA. After that operation folded, Albert was listed in the Wilkes-Barre City Directory as "removed to Elmira, New York."

Albert married Blanche Boomer, known as "Annie" to her friends and family, in Fulton, NY. Blanche had been born in Oswego, NY on October 22, 1871. In 1895 Albert J had a daughter, Clara, who was born in Penn.

In 1896 Albert's mother Mary died in Meriden on November 20. In 1906 Albert is the VP of Meriden Firearms for Sears. In 1907 his father, John, died on November 14. In 1908 Albert is President of Meriden Firearms for Sears. By 1910 he is no longer working in Meriden. Albert is in Santa Clara, CA employed in Sporting Goods.

At this time, the shotguns labeled AJ Aubrey now used Meriden Arms. There were a few shotguns made using the Berkshire brand name.

During his time at Sears, Albert filed for and received 8 patents related to firearms.

AJ Aubrey Patents
Description City Filed from Patent Number Date Issued
Improved Safety for breakdown guns Hopkinton, MA 859477 July 9, 1907
Sight For Firearms Meriden, CT 839535 December 25, 1906
Sight For Firearms Meriden, CT 835091 November 6, 1906
Automatic Shell-Ejector for Firearms Meriden, CT 887569 May 12, 1908
Fore-Stock Fastener for Firearms Meriden, CT 887568 May 12, 1908
Gun-Lock Meriden, CT 902639 November 3, 1908
Safety Hammer Meriden, CT 911362 February 2, 1909
Rifle-Barrel Construction Meriden, CT 918491 April 20, 1909

According to the Sears archives, Meriden guns were no longer listed as of the fall 1918 catalog. However, in fact Sears did produce a 1918 catalog of Meriden guns.

In 1920, he is shown in the census as a gunsmith. He is living with his wife Blanche Boomer Aubrey and their daughter Clara. In 1942 Blanche died on December 26 in Santa Clara, Ca. Albert died on February 3, 1947. He had outlived all his siblings.


AJ Aubrey catalog page

References

http://www.searsarchives.com/products/questions/firearms/meriden_shotgun.htm

http://www.damascus-barrels.com/Aubrey.html

http://www.meridenfirearms.com/history.html

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gillespie, Charles Bancroft (1906). An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut,: And men who have made it. Meriden, Conn: Journal Publishing Co. pp. 89–92.
  2. ↑ Taffin, John (2005). The Gun Digest Book of Cowboy Action Shooting: Guns · Gear · Tactics. Gun Digest Books. p. 256. ISBN 978-0-89689-140-1.