Iconic Norwich

Iconic Norwich documents Connecticut's remarkable history as America's gunmaking capital. From 1775 through the early 1900s, Norwich produced some of the most innovative firearms in U.S. history—and this resource preserves that heritage.

The city was home to over 20 separate firearms manufacturers and gunsmiths, each contributing breakthrough designs and manufacturing techniques that shaped the entire industry.

Nathan Cobb & John Leffingwell (1775) repaired muskets during the Revolutionary War on Washington Street in Norwichtown. By 1798, Nathan and Henry Cobb received a contract for 200 muskets of the Charleville pattern—the first documented arms-making contract in Norwich.

Allen & Thurber (1842-1847) changed everything. Ethan Allen and Charles Thurber established their facility near Yantic Falls, attracted by year-round water power and proximity to Boston and New York ports. They invented the under-hammer pocket rifle—a radical design with the hammer on the bottom of the weapon, allowing target sights to be mounted on top. These .28 and .44 caliber rifles, typically sold in pairs, were produced 1837-1847. Allen & Thurber also trained the next generation: Thomas Bacon and Horace Smith both worked here before launching their own operations.

Oliver Allen (1846-1849) designed bomb-lances and gun-harpoons for American whalers. His shoulder-fired whaling guns fired explosive-tipped projectiles with embedded fuses. Christopher C. Brand continued this specialized work through 1883, operating a steam-driven factory on the corner of Willow and Franklin Streets with 60 employees.

Bacon & Company (1850-1857) under Thomas K. Bacon produced under-hammer percussion pistols and ring-trigger boot pistols—both single-shot designs. Approximately 500 under-hammer models and 400 ring-trigger boot pistols were made before Bacon shifted to percussion revolvers.

Smith & Wesson Company (1852-1855) designed and developed the first lever-action repeating pistol in Norwich. Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson patented their magazine-fed .41 caliber gun in 1854 and also developed the .22 rimfire cartridge—the Number One Cartridge—which became the basis for all modern rimfire ammunition. When the company struggled financially, Oliver Winchester purchased it and renamed it the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company.

Volcanic Repeating Arms (1855-1856) produced both Volcanic pocket pistols and rifles on Central Wharf. Daniel B. Wesson stayed on as plant manager while Horace Smith returned to Massachusetts. The company reorganized as the New Haven Arms Company in 1857, eventually becoming Winchester Repeating Arms.

Manhattan Firearms (1855-1858) produced approximately 175,000 pistols—bar hammer percussion models in .31, .34, and .36 calibers with 2-4 inch barrels. Only Colt, Remington, and Winchester produced more during this era. Thomas Bacon served as Superintendent before launching his second company.

Bacon Manufacturing Company (1858-1868) made percussion revolvers and cartridge pistols, including the Lady's Companion Continental Arms .22 pepperbox. The company operated in two rooms of the Auger Mill building at Yantic Falls with about 10 employees.

During the Civil War, Norwich became a major supplier of Springfield Model 1861 rifled muskets.

Eagle Manufacturing Company (1861-1863) received a government contract for 25,000 Springfield muskets (later modified to 20,000). The company produced 5,500 muskets before transferring remaining production to the Norwich Arms Company.

James D. Mowry (1861-1862) contracted to furnish 30,000 Springfield muskets, later reduced to 20,000. Barrels were made at Cole & Walker; locks by C.B. Rogers Co. of West Chelsea.

Cole & Walker Machine Shop (1863-1865) produced barrel components for Springfield muskets assembled at the Eagle Armory.

Norwich Arms Company (1863-1865) became the major producer, manufacturing about 400 finished muskets daily. The company produced roughly 1,200 muskets, 3,000 bayonets, and 2,000 locks per week. By the mid-1860s, annual production value reached nearly $250,000.

Hopkins & Allen (1868-1916) purchased Bacon Manufacturing's assets and became one of Norwich's longest-operating firearms makers.

Crescent Firearms (1892-1929) operated for nearly four decades.

Other notable makers included Hood Fire Arms Company (1875-1879), Norwich Pistol Company (1875-1881), Thomas E. Ryan Fire Arms (1876-1891), W. H. Davenport Arms (1891-1910), Thames Arms Company (1900-1910), and Warner Arms Corp (1913-1917).

The Iconic Norwich resource includes an interactive map showing locations of all former gun-making facilities throughout the city, with detailed documentation of each manufacturer's innovations and production history.