$50.00 CAD
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Letters from November 1861, likely written by employee of the Springfield Armory, located in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts to Frederick W. Howe, head of the Providence Tool Company of Rhode Island. Seeking employment along with 2 others with skills in making of firearm stocks.
Providence began weapons manufacturing in 1861. Written 6 months after the start of the Civil War.
November 22 1861
Mr. Howe
Dear Sir, I understand by a Gentleman from Hartford that you are in pursuit of some one to – or Contract for the making of Arms. I would say there are 3 of us Brothers Stockey who have stocked the modles for Government. I wish to no upon what --- you are – in want whether to let the whole job of stocking or wish to hire by the piece. I am in a Great Hurry as the Cars are about leaving an I must close a line from you will meet with attention.
Yours respectfully,
B. A. Russell
N.B. One of us has work in 20 years the other – 15 – for government and 4 years the Other.
N.B, Please write soon
Folded.
9 ⅛ x 7 ⅛“
Providence Tool Company
The company is known for its ammunition production. However, in its early years, it primarily made hammers, pick axes, marlinspikes, nuts, and bolts. In 1856 it merged with the Providence Forge and Nut Company. The Providence Tool Company was successful in supplying machine parts and tools across the nation.
The Civil War created a demand for companies to make munitions for the Union army. The Providence Tool Company took up the call and began weapons manufacturing in 1861. The Company hired Frederick W. Howe, a former supervisor at the Robbins and Lawrence Armory in Windsor, Vermont, to help start the manufacturing of arms.
https://www.rihs.org/
The; Springfield Armory, located in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, was the primary center for the manufacture of United States military firearms from 1777 until its closing in 1968. It was the first federal armory and one of the first factories in the United States dedicated to the manufacture of weapons.
…With the destruction of the Harpers Ferry Armory early in the American Civil War, the Springfield Armory was briefly the only government manufacturer of arms, until the Rock Island Arsenal was established in 1862. During this time production ramped up to unprecedented levels ever seen in American manufacturing up until that time, with only 9,601 rifles manufactured in 1860, rising to a peak of 276,200 by 1864.
WIKIPEDIA
