USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Picturesque Hampshire : a supplement to the quarter-centennial-journal > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
The perfect hammerless fire-arm has long been the sportsman's desideratum, and it is claimed by Mr. Whitney and his backers that he has supplied the long sought-for weapon. The only criticism of the Whitney gun, is the necessity of holding the tension-lever when the gun is held in firing position ; but this seems wholly immaterial, inasmuch as this lever comes directly under the natural hand-hold when in such a position and is held there with no more effort than would accompany the holding of a naked gun-stock.
A few facts in regard to the gun and reasons of its superiority over all others may not be amiss. First, the hammers always being at cock except at the moment of firing, the main springs have no tension whatever on them until the tension lever is pressed home by the shooter's hand when the gun is brought to the shoulder.
did not know that the gun was loaded." The tension lever is the safety ; when that is down as in the position shown, it is simply impossible to fire the gun, for there is not the least tension on the main springs. The triggers if pulled have no effect whatever on the hammers, they remaining always at cock except at the moment of firing.
The process of manufacture was shown to the writer from the time the tubes arrive from Europe until the gun is finished and sent into the inspecting room, after which the gun is shipped.
As the manufacture of fine guns in this part of the state is a new industry we give a few of the practical working features. The tubes are all made in Europe, and the company recently received a shipment of 800 pairs, among them some of the finest Damasens barrels money can buy. These extra fine barrels are for some very fancy guns ordered. The ribs, which are soft soldered to the barrels, are now being made in this country, although the finest figured ribs are still imported, for no one seems to understand in this country, the method of making fine gun barrels and ribs. All the forgings used in the construction of the Whitney safety are made in Worcester, from the tinest steel, this steel being made specially for gun parts. The different modes of manufacture were shown and fully explained. The different operations that each part is put through before it is ready to be connected would surprise one who has never been in a gun factory. The parts are all fitted to guages and are interchangable. The method of "choke-boring" the gun is one that is
"English and American Field," the "Asian" o Calcutta, India, "Forest and Stream," and others. It would seem that a gun which has the endorsement of such men must be about right.
The machinery and tools used in the manufacture of the gun are the best that money can buy and the most improved. The plant for brazing the gun barrels is entirely new and no other gun company in the country has its e ual. The workmen who have charge of the different departments are artists in their different branches and have been brought up in the gun business from their infancy. There are seventeen men in all, six of them experienced English workmen. The company purpose to establish a reputation for fine work and to keep up that reputation.
Letters from experimenters and well known sports- men are constantly coming in, commendatory of the gun and its work and several such testimonials were shown us.
W. P. Jones of the General Land office at Washing- ton says in a letter that the fitting and finish of the 20- guage gun would fully meet the requirements of the most exacting critic, and for safety and convenience is unequaled by any hammerless gun made.
Maj. W. A. Hinkle of Galveston, Tex., in writing, says: "I am satisfied with its shooting qualities, and in my judgment it is the safest gun made. I do not think a man could kill himself accidentally with one of these guns."
Col. George D. Alexander of Louisiana, who is con- sidered one of the best authorities on shot-guns, says
95
PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
that he witnessed the best shooting with one of these guns that it has ever been his privilege to attend, and expresses himself delighted with it. He concludes by saying, "Of one thing you may be assured, that I never saw a gun which I considered perfectly safe until I wit- nessed the workings of yours."
A letter from President Diaz of Mexico, on his return from his late hunting expedition, during which the Whitney safety gun was used, in speaking of its merits expresses himself in most delighted terms. He says : "I have fully tested its qualities and recommend it to every one as the most perfect gun ever placed on the market."
Other testimonials could be given, but the above are selected as coming from the best authority and most likely to prove of value to sport-men.
As much time has been lost heretofore in locating the home signal, the Kelsey signals are stationed 300 feet in advance of the home signal, so one can readily hear it. When an engineer is running through a tunnel, feeling his way for the home signal, either on account of fog or smoke, it is often so dense that he can scarcely see twelve inches ahead. On arriving at or coming on to the indicator signal, by hearing one blow of the gong, he knows that he is 300 feet from the home signal. Its superiority over all others lies in the audible part, which is the gong attachment.
It has been fully tested, and the company placed an order last summer in New York tunnel from 59th to 86th street, on the south bound rapid transit tracks. Three of these are special signals, and they only obtain one below for each and every train.
locomotive or of the train may successively strike track instrument, and depress it so as to raise post end and perpendicular rod with projection, the rod with projection falling between each wheel, so that successive wheels impart an up and down reciprocating movement to the rod. The gong hammer is fulcrumed so that inner end of hammer stands in path of projection on rod and as rod descends projection will strike inner end of hammer, and throw hammer against gong; then as the rod rises the hammer falls, and so continuing each descent of the rod will produce one stroke on the hammer. When the signal is pulled down, the rod is raised up, raising with it the gong hammer lever the lever raises the hammer against the gong so that the inner end of the hammer stands out of the path of projection on the rod and projection
THE FINISHED WHITNEY GUN.
WHITNEY SAFETY FIRE ARMS CO.
THE WHITNEY HAMMERLESS GUN - LOCK EXPOSED.
Customers can be suited, practically, as to price, as the guns range in price from $35 upwards, according to the quality of material and finish desired. Some of the weapons have elaborately engraved gun barrels, and the ordinary grades have a pair of birds on each side of the action -woodcock and prairie chieken - and the figure of a bird dog above. Then the metal work near the stock is handsomely colored or mottled, by temper- ing, in no two eases alike. The stocks are made in costly woods, if desired, and to complete one's idea of the care taken to secure perfect adjustment and exact alignment of all parts, one should look into the large safe in the company's office, where are tools occasion- ally required for use which are worth more than their weight in gold.
The company had recently in the works a small 20- guage gun which only weighed 5 lbs., 4 oz. This gun was made for a lady in Mexico and was a perfect beauty. The lady's husband had ordered a very fine gun for his own use, and his wife was so much pleased with the safety mechanism that she ordered one for herself.
To conclude: the need of a model safety hammer- less gun requires no enforcement. But we noticed, in a recent issue of the American Field, within the brief space of a score or so of lines, reports of at least half as many serious accidents which had befallen sportsmen and general users of guns, and the constantly recurring cases of "didn't know it was loaded " are always with us. Many lives are lost every year through the eareless use of fire-arms, and if Mr. Hill and the inventor, Mr. Whitney, had done nothing else than forward this valu- able life-saving invention, they would deserve the thanks of humanity for all time.
The officers of the Whitney Safety Arms Co. are President, A. G. Hill; Treas., Wm. H. Whitney.
The Kelsey Railway Signal Co.
The Kelsey Railway Signal Co. also occupy the building used by the Whitney. Safety Fire-Arms Co. and they make mechanical railway appliances for draw-bridges, switches, cross-overs, station and block signals. They are now engaged also in making a highway grade crossing signal, which being of a mechanical nature, they elaim is more reliable than electrical appliances, which have been found to fail repeatedly.
The engraving on this page shows the distant signal with the Kelsey gong attachment and the three-lever Kelsey interlocking ground machine for draw-bridges and cross-overs, and a description of them will doubtless be interesting to the public, now that they have been tested and put in use on two of the busiest railway lines in the world-the Harlem branch of the New York Central and the air line division of [the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
A description of the signal machinery in detail will undoubtedly be of interest to mechanics, as follows:
The audible signal is provided in case engineers should fail to see the visual signal and run by it at danger, then by wheels of engine and train running on to track instrument, their attention would be called to
KELSEY DISTANT SIGNAL, WITH GONG ATTACHMENT.
the fact that the visual signal was at danger by hearing the sound of the gong. The normal position of signal is at danger and the gong is free to ring. Track instrument carrying perpendicular rod with projection is fulcrumed at post end standing one quarter inch above level of track, so that the wheels of a passing
cannot come in contact with inner end of ham- mer before its downward motion is checked by stop, so there is no sound of gong; a slot is provided in case down rod should require more travel after gong hammer had stopped against gong. In case wire breaks both visnal and audible signals go to danger.
THE INTER-LOCKING MACHINE FOR DRAWBRIDGES.
The other machine made by the Kelsey company is fully as important an invention as the gong signal; it will be found in the engraving on the next page, and may be thus described :
The distant signal is connected to one lever, and the home signal is connected to another lever, derail switch, switch lock detector bar and drawbridge; lock is connected to another lever.
In throwing lever 3 to its reversed position, you set distant signal to danger and release lever 2; lever 2 is not released, however, until full stroke of lever 3 is made and the lateh block drops into the notch lever 3, locked in its reversed position before any movement can be made with lever 2. In throwing lever 2 to its reversed position, you set home signal to danger and release lever 1. In throwing lever 1, which is connected to derail switch, switch lock detector bar and draw- bridge loek bolt to its reversed position by a combined lock and switch movement ; we unlock and throw out derail switch before lock bolt is fully retracted from the socket, which prevents any possibility of opening draw before home, distant and audible signals are set to danger, and derail switch open.
Contraction and expansion of wire running to signal is taken up by chain passing over sprocket wheels with weights attached to end of chain. When levers 1-2-3 are in their home positions and signals normal at safety, sprocket wheels are free to turn in either direction ; then weights will raise and lower to meet contraction and expansion of wire. In pulling levers 1-2-3 to their reversed position you grasp lateh handle to draw latch block out of the notch ; in so doing you engage a pawl with ratchet in traveling over segment vo notch to hold lever in its reversed position, then hold pawl in engagement with ratehet until lever is returned to its home position.
This machine is furnished in same design from 1 to 10 levers, with single or double wire compensator. The various wearing parts of this machine are of cold rolled steel. All parts are interchangeable. As regards the lateh actuation from a 2 to 10 lever machine, it is claimed that this machine is the most compact, has the least number of parts, is the simplest and most durable movement extant. Dimension, height of machine from floor to top of segments, 27 in. ; width over all, 191-2 in.
The 1 lever machine locks drawer and operates distant signal with gong attachment. The 2 lever machine interlocks each lever and locks draw, operates home and distant signal with gong attachment. Signals
96
PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
THREE-LEVER KELSEY INTERLOCKING GROUND MACHINE FOR DRAWBRIDGES AND CROSS-OVERS.
and switches worked from center of draw if preferred.
This machine is especially adapted for drawbridge locks, home and distant signals, derailing switch, and rail switch lock, and is most complete in all its workings. In fact, all these are among the greatest inventions of modern times, and must be acknowledged to be great strides toward averting any calamity that might otherwise occur. Mr. W. A. Waterbury, Supt. Air Line Div. N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., says, in speaking in relation to the latter :
"I had two of them placed at our drawbridge at Middletown, Conn., one at each end; they were placed there last April and work to a charm. They are the best I have yet had experience with, and I can see no reason why they should not be universally adopted. They have been but very little care to us, and do not easily get out of order. I think the tension to take up lost motion caused by expansion and contraction cannot be beaten. The gong attachment I consider very valuable in foggy weather, especially when the drawers and signals cannot be seen."
E. M. Reed, vice president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad company, says:
"One of Mr. Frank N. Kelsey's bridge signals has been in use on this line of road during the past eighteen months, and its operation has proved satisfactory during all of that time, and so far has required no alterations or repairs."
W. H. Haywood, railroad commissioner, says :
"I have examined the Kelsey signal, as applied to the drawbridge on Air Line at Middletown. and have watched its operation since put in, and it has filled the bill in every particular, Mr. Kelsey has in my judgment thus far the cheapest and best automatic signal that has ever been brought to my attention,"
Frank N. Kelsey, the inventor, is the general superintendent at the works and exercises that care which insures satisfaction. Arthur G. Hill is the secretary and general manager, to whom all inquiries of a business nature should be directed.
The Knapp Dovetailing Machine Co.
An engraving is given herewith of the Clement dove- tailing machine, an invention of long-tried and approved use among cabinet-makers and furniture manufacturers throughout the country, the shops of which are in the Whitney fire-arms building at Florence.
It can hardly be necessary for us to describe this invention. Every one who has a piece of furniture has noticed at one time or another, the ingenious manner in which the parts of drawers, etc., are fitted together, as snugly and closely as if they had grown there. The mortises and entering pieces of wood were made by a dovetailing machine, and the Clement and Knapp dovetailing machines are the best of their kind. There are now and have heen for several years, many of these machines in use in different parts of the country, and the tools for them have to be constantly renewed, so the work of making them is quite a business of itself. Mr. Hill is the proprietor of the Knapp Dovetailing machine and he is now pushing forward the Clement dovetailer, invented by Nathan S. Clement,
which in its new form is far ahead of anything heretofore placed on the market for the use for which it was designed.
A few of the most important advantages of this over the "Knapp machine are: 1, The stock to be cut is all placed horizontally upon a stationary table, enabling the operator to work stock of any length and of any width up to 16 inches ; 2, After setting the guages for any line of work, the only attention required from the operator is to take out the finished stock, push back the tool carriage, put in fresh stoek and start the machine.
The Florence Furniture Company
Was organized in 1873 with a capital of $20,000, and is the result of an effort of a number of good mechanics to improve their condition and establish a business in which their own capital supplemented by their own labor would enable them to become masters of their business and receive any benefits that might accrue from the enterprise, and in the first years all the employes were owners of stock. The production is almost exclusively burial cases of numerous designs and qualities, ranging in price from the very cheapest to the best, and are finished in different kinds of woods, and also covered with eloths of suitable kinds, as broadcloth, plush, velvets, crape, pique, etc., and in variety of colors, as black, white, purple, drab, blue, etc.
The goods are sold and shipped direct from the factory, the market for which is almost exclusively in New England. The business has steadily in creased, requiring addi- tions to the buildings and manufacturing ca- pacity in 1880 and after wards in 1888, until the establishment has a pro- duction of about three times its original size.
In addition to goods of their own manufae- ture, they carry a stock of handles, linings, robes, hardware, ete., for the trade incidental to their business. The company employ about thirty hands, nearly all men, and the business is now eon- sidered one of the per- manent and successful enterprises of Florence.
From the first organi- zation of the company HI. B. Haven, has been treasurer and manager. Its present officers are : President, A. G. Hill; treasurer, H. B. Haven ; directors, A. G. Hill, H. F. Cutler, W. L. Wilcox, W. J. Warner, and H. B. Haven,
The building occupied by the works will be found pictured at the foot of this page.
A
B
THE CLEMENT DOVETAILING MACHINE.
J.L.TAYLOR SC.BOST IN
WORKS OF THE FLORENCE FURNITURE COMPANY.
97
PICTURESQUE HAMPSHIRE.
Florence Tack Company.
The manufacture of tacks and small nails by machinery is in every respect a Massachusetts industry ; the first machines for this purpose were made by Massachusetts men; the first tack factories were in Massachusetts ; the factories now in operation in other states are the outgrowth of the industry in this state ; three-fourths of the tacks and small nails now made in the United States are made in Massachusetts.
In 1874 a small factory was started by the Florence Tack company, in Florence, Northampton, which has steadily grown until it has become an important industry.
A large variety of goods are made by this company, such as cigar-box nails, trunk and clout nails, chair and basket nails, finishing nails, Hungarian nails, shoe nails, and all the small sizes of common board nails. Of tacks there are made a variety of upholster, carpet, card, trimmers, gimp, brush, looking glass, miners and shoe tacks, picture frame and glaziers' points. These goods are made of copper, brass, zinc, steel, American, Swedes and Norway iron. Some are tinned, others blned, and some are polished. Some are made with oval heads and others with flat heads. There are over five hundred different sizes and kinds of tacks and nails made by this company.
In 1884 the company commenced the manu- facture of a variety of wire goods, such as double pointed tacks, spring staples, shade
WORKS OF THE FLORENCE TACK COMPANY.
in the United States and foreign countries. Arrange- ments have been made to build the machine for use by wire manufacturers. It is destined to bring abont an entire change in the process of manufacturing wire, as the cost of making wire by this process is much less than by the old method.
D. W. Bond is the president of the company, and Edward S. Bottum its traveling salesman. They have both been connected with the company since its organization. The goods manuactured by it are sent into every state in the union. No poor goods are allow- ed to leave the factory. Its motto is "Honest weight and honest count." No short weight or short count goods are put up for any one under any circumstances.
Florence Manufacturing Company.
The Florence Manufacturing company have one of the most attractive mills in the vicinity, the lawn and flower beds being a pleas- ing contrast to the old time factory surroundings.
MOSS ENG CONY
WORKS OF THE FLORENCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
staples, basket staples, barrel and keg staples, clinch staples, pipe staples, wire fence staples, electrician staples, wagon bow staples, pail ears, clamps and grape basket fasteners, barbed blind staples and barbed spring staples. This company is now the largest manufac- turer of this class of goods in this country. There are as many sizes and kinds of staples as of tacks, making over one thousand sizes and kinds of tacks, nails and staples manufactured by this company.
In 1887 the company commenced the manufacture of small rivets. The trade in this line of goods has gradually increased until now it forms an important part of the business of this company. All the tack, staple and rivet machines used by this company were built at its factory from drawings prepared by George W. Bond, the superintendent and agent of the company. Some of the machines are entirely Mr. Bond's invention, to whose business ability and skill in the adaptation of machinery to the manufacture of the goods made at its factory the company is indebted for its success.
-
During the year 1889 Mr. Bond conmenced to build a machine to roll wire. The amount of wire used at this factory for the manufacture of wire goods is very large, and the effort to reduce the cost of such goods led to the invention of a wire rolling mill. By means of this machine wire rods, placed upon a reel in the same condition they come from the wire rod mill, are passed through the machine and reduced to the various sizes of merchantable wire. No labor is expended on the rods to prepare them for rolling. The machine has been in operation several months; wire manufacturers have visited the factory and witnessed its operation ; it has been subjected to a variety of tests and its work pronounced by wire manufacturers entirely satisfac- tory and a great improvement over the old process, both as to the cost of manufacture and as to the quality of the wire. It will be protected by patents
The main factory is a brick building of three stories, with attic, 40x120, with a prominent tower containing a steam elevator. A few years since another brick building, 40x100, of two stories was added, making about 27,000 surface feet of floor space, in addition to basements, all of which is fully utilized.
The company was organ- ized in 1866 with a capital of $100,000. The principal portion of their manufac- ture has ever been of brushes and mirrors, though at various times many articles, such as lockets, buttons, etc., have been made in very large quantities. They have always stood at the head for variety of styles and elegance of designs, many of the latest being very artistic. The largest output of tooth brushes made in this country is here produced. These are made of heavy thigh bones brought from the west, the entire process being carried on in the manufactory. The pure white ivory finish secured from the special process of bleach- ing carried on quickly mark these goods wherever seen. Especially have they made themselves known by the reputation of the Prophylactic tooth brush and Florence
dental plate brush. The company have a large machine shop, making all their own dies and machines, and employ help ranging from 100 to 175. Mr. A. C. Esta- brook has been superintendent of the factory for twenty years and much of the success is due to his inventive ability and hearty co-operation in the man- agement of the business. They have in New York, Chicago and San Francisco stores for distribution of the products.
Mr. Frank N. Look is the general manager of its business, giving his exclusive time to its interests, the president of the company being Mr. D. G. Littlefield of Pawtucket, R. I. A very complete catalogue is issned annually by the company.
The Glasgow Company Gingham Manufac- turers.
The Glasgow company, which occupies the lower privilege at South Hadley Falls, was created February 16, 1848, by an act of the legislature, incorporating Geo. M. Atwater, Chas. Peck, William Bowdoin and their associates and successors, for the manufacture of cotton woolen, worsted or silk goods, severally or unitedly. The capital stock was originally placed at $200.000, which was paid in cash. In 1854 it was increased to $250,000, in 1860 to $300,000, and in 1863 to $350,000, at which point it now stands, the increase in each case being presented to the stockholders as stock dividends. Good dividends in cash have also been paid from the large earnings of the company.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.