Notes from the underground 2022

  Pictured here is the Otis A. Smith Pistol Manufacturing Company located in the Connecticut Valley, the center of mass production during the last half of the 19th century. If you look closely, you will notice that not all the employees are adults, and that there are several youths and younger boys.  Children were employed in every factory, including firearms manufacturers.  No wonder they grew up a lot tougher than the children of today. Times sure have changed.

 

The Norwich(Falls) "Protector" and Colt "New Line" were .32 Long Rim-fire revolvers that were popular throughout the 1880's-1900's. The modern metallic cartridge firing revolver began with designs such as this Smith&Wesson No.1½ 'New model'.

 This photo shows a moment  in the past, lost in  time & space which shows several kids, a pistol and smiles all around!  Can you imagine a photo like this today?

Top: Sterling .38 caliber rimfire revolver, circa. 1870's-1890's Bottom: Forehand & Wadsworth Russian model .32 caliber rimfire revolver, circa. 1880's-1890's  Presently,  my antique pistol restoration projects are slow going, as I gradually research to find info about missing parts and gunsmithing techniques. Every stage is a new challenge, and eventually I hope to not only transform & increase the values of  these two antique revolvers, but I will also have gained some valuable  pistolsmithing experience which will help with future restoration projects.