The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-02-03
The Remington Armory.

The fact that the Spanish Government
had given contract to the Remingtons
for the manufacture Of 1000 Remington
rifles has prompted, during the recent
Cuban crisis, considerable curiosity and
no little inquiry. The contract, howcv.
er. bore little relevancy to. the Spanish
imbroglio. During the past twelve years
Spain, in spite of her prccarious financial
condition, has spent large sums Of money
in ordnance experiments, and recognizing
by careful scientific comparison the ingc-
nuity, simplicity, and superiority of the
Remington iirearIn, gave to the Rcming-
tons the contract, which is now nearly
completed.
The village Of llioo, y. Y, has become
universally celebrated as the place whcrc
the Remington firearms are made, and Il
few words in relation to the armury will
not como ainiss Hon contains uhout
three thousi.ud five hundred nhabi'anis
and their industry is promoted aud oe.
casioned principally by the Remington
armory, which gives employment to twelve
hundred mcn. Work is continued both
night aud day, and from the Indications
one might suppose that there was gen
cral and constant rcarmamcnt of nations.
Just previous to the Crimcau war. Bnck.
lie, viewing forty years peace, said that
war was declining; aud yet the greatest
prepare tions are made aud carried on dur.
ing the most peaceful intervals. The
nineteenth century exemrlitie- the high
est civilization that has been aitaiucd ;
aud it seems that the more perfect civil.
zation grows the more deadly become the
engines and missiles OF destruction. The
breech-loadcr is the most absolute iH per
/ tecton aud accuracy. and the Remington
armory has obtained the highest eminanct
in the improvements which skill aud sci.
ence have consummated in this class Of
weapons El'phalet Remington is tn,
founder and senior member of the firm
and the production Of the first tircarm By
himself affords an example OF his ingenui
ty. During the year 1916, while ,
youth and at work un IA farm, he askc,
his father for money with which to huv
gun. The fathers financial condition
however, did not justify the huld-work
ing farmer in allowing on expense so cX
travagant so young Remington set t.
work, and with some iron lonud on tn,
premises fashioned for himself barre
with such limited appliances as the farm
forge supplied. The locking and stockin.
et the gun he was unable to accomplish
with his short supply Of materials H.
carried the barrel to gun-snii;h at Uti
ca-then small village-and had hi
gun completed, Encouraged by the prais
Of the smith, he quarried with his oS'
hands suitable grindstones aud soon du
: plicatod the guu. The fame Of ihcs
earlier barrels shortly after iiiri eh
country. He applied himself a,siduousl
to barrel making, extending gradually t
stocking and lock fitting For nine year
he continued with such tools rs he coul
obtain, aud increased the capacity c
manufacturing to the extent Of two sma
shops, The demand for barrels cxcccdc
= constantly hi- resources, and he soon pun
chased tract OF land in llion, where h
erected forging shop, which /, yet uscC
la 1888 the establishment Of Ames
2 Co., at Springfield, Mass, sold to Nj
Remington Government contract io
I several thousand carbnes and porto
of its gun. finishing machinery. Beioi
I the contract was finished an order f.
5000 Ilarper's Ferry rifles was receive,
c followed by another order for simila
j number. The two elder sons, Philo an
J. Samuel COW entered the business and
c ls4I pistol. making was begun. \ col
: vcnieut pocket-reyol, r was made, whic
g obtained at once an Unexpectedly larl
i sale. From this date on the Remington
u continued in the manufacture, improv
ment, and invention OF every variety
a. firearms. from ii cavalry revolver to
q delicate lady's pistol and Il ecutleman
IS pistol-caue, with II success that has new
, been equalled. Their armory occupi
four acres Of ground. Twelve huudr,
men are employed, and since the frs;
|. September work has been carried ,
r. night aud day.
i. OF the Remington military bfcec
.. loader six or seven hundred thousai
d have beon made for different government
,. At all trials made between the Rem1
It ton aud other oreech lopde:s, the gun h
always retained its pre.emnence, aud
is history is one Of unvaryiug success. "
4. following will show how the brecch.loa