W

W. — Unidentified. Marking on barrel of fine relief carved Kentucky rifle circa 1800-1810.
W. & H. S.— See Shannon, W. & H.
W. A. — Unidentified. Middletown, Conn. Percussion under-hammer pistols.
W. B. — William Border, New Paris, Bedford Co., Pa. Maker of full stock, percussion squirrel rifles.
W. G. M. — Unidentified. Kentucky rifles with very dark stocks.
W. J. — Unidentified. A plain percussion Kentucky rifle with factory lock.
W. K. — Unidentified. Early Kentucky rifle, flintlock period.
W. L. — Unidentified. Maker of Kentucky rifle.
W. M. M. — Unidentified. Percussion under-hammer pistols.
W. N. — Initials of W. North, U. S. Inspector of Arms within years 1831-1850.
W. N. & S. — See Winner, Nippes & Co., Nippes, Daniel, and Steinman, John.
W. W. — Unidentified. Light flintlock Kentucky rifle, slim-wrist maple fullstock with a high comb, brass patchbox.
W.A.T. — Initials of Captain William A. Thornton, Ordnance Dept.,U. S. Army. Inspector of Contract Arms 1842-61. See Thornton, William A.
W.P.— Unidentified. (William Pannebecker?)
WADE, Abner — Saleto Township, Muskigum Co., Ohio, 1811.
WADSWORTH, Decius— Captain U. S. Ordnance. U. S. Inspector of Muskets for Eastern States 1799-1801. Inspected, sabers at plant of Nathan Starr in 1799. Colonel Ordnance 1814-1819.
WAGENHORST— Unidentified. Flintlock, heavy barrel, match rifles. Same as John Wagenhorst?
WAGENHORST, Io.— John Wagenhorst. Maple fullstock flintlock Kentucky rifle.
WAGGONER — Schenectady, N. Y. Reported maker of a percussion Kentucky rifle with lock marked "STAFFORD."
Wagner Ordnance Co., R. & V.—East Moline, 111. Produced navy guns and mounts during the World War.
WAGNER, Alvin — Jackson, Mo. Percussion period.
WAKEMAN, Harvey— Buffalo, N. Y., 1828-35.
Walch Fire Arms Co.—New York City. Produced J. Walch's Patent February 8, 1859, revolvers. Ten shots from five chambers, two hammers, actuated by a single trigger, fires the two charges from each chamber, one after the other.
WALCH FIREARMS CO.— New York, N. Y., about 1859-62. Makers of Walch 10 and 12-shot revolvers, with cylinders taking two loads to a chamber. Patented by J. Walch, Feb. 8, 1859, No. 22,905.
WALDREN, Alexander— Pisquataqua River, Mass., 1672.
WALDREN, William— Boston, Mass., 1671.
WALKER— Unidentified. Maker of flintlocks.
WALKER, B. H. — Over-under, octagon barrels, set triggers, percus sion Kentucky rifle. Also on stock of Bedford Co., Pa., style rifle marked on barrel "G. FAY."
WALKER, John— Unlocated. Flintlock Kentucky rifle with an 1835 ten-cent coin inlaid in cheek-piece. Marked on barrel "JOHN WALKER."
WALKER, John, JACKSON, L. — Reported percussion lock marking on a fancy, curly maple full stock, Kentucky rifle.
WALKER, Joseph— Knox Co., Ohio, 1804-07. Repaired gun locks for Indians.
WALKER, P. H.— 6 F. H. Sqr., Boston. Marking on rib of double barreled percussion shotgun with dolphin-head hammers.
Walker, S. L.—Riflemaker of Cedarville, Ohio, 1854-89.
WALKER, S. L.— (or J. L.) Cedarville, Ohio. Percussion rifles.
WALKER, William— Born in Tuckaleeche Cove, Great Smoky Mts., Tenn., 1838; died 1919. Flintlock and percussion rifles.
WALKEY, Sam — Made fine Snyder Co., Pa. style, inlaid percussion Kentucky rifles.
WALLACE & OSBORNE— Canton, Conn. Underhammer percussion pistol.
Wallace & Sons—Ansonia, Conn. Cartridge manufacturers, 1888-91.
WALLACE, V. M— New York, N. Y., 1835.
Wallach, Moses A.—Gunmaker of Boston, Mass., 1800-25.
WALLACH, Moses A.— Boston, Mass., 1800-25.
WALLIS & BURCH— Philadelphia, Pa. Percussion derringer.
WALLIS & RICE — Talladega, Alabama, rifle contractors to the Con federacy. The firm consisted of Daniel Wallis of Talladega, and Samuel F. Rice of Montgomery, Ala. On May 9, 1862 they signed a contract to make one thousand Mississippi (Model 1841) type rifles for the State of Alabama and were advanced $2,000 in cash. There is no record of production, but Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau made a raid from Decatur, Ala., and on July 15, 1864, reached Talladega, where he destroyed two gun factories, which probably included this one and that of Lewis G. Sturdivant.
WALLIS, Daniel— See Wallis & Rice.
WALLY, Samuel — Pennsylvania. Later maker of Kentucky rifles.
Walsh, James—Philadelphia, Pa. Gunlock maker to the Committee of Safety, 1775.
WALSH, James — Philadelphia, Pa., arms and gun-lock maker to the Committee of Safety in 1776. With Samuel Kinder, in December, 1776, petitioned to the Committee for redress (on contracted arms) because of rise in materials, tools and labor entering into gun-making. Walsh earlier in November, 1776, was one of the petitioners representing Philadelphia gunmakers, complaining against the high and mounting cost of equipment and materials used in making arms. James Walsh served the state as Superin tendent of Arms at the State Gun Repair Shop at Allentown about 1777-78. In 1779 Walsh advertised, offering his gunsmith tools for sale. "J. WALSH" marking appears on well made, handsomely ornamented brass flintlock pistols.
WALSH, John — Pennsylvania stock maker to the Committee of Safety, 1776. With James Walsh, was one of the petitioners to the Committee complaining against the rising cost of materials and labor entering into gun-making, and quoting the advance in prices in one year, since 1775.
Walters, A.—Riflemaker of New York, N. Y., 1822.
WALTERS, A.— New York, N. Y., 1822.
WALTERS, A.— Millbury, Mass., 1837.
WALTON, T. — Unlocated. Percussion period.
WARD — Unlocated. Halfstock percussion sporting rifle.
WARD -BURTON — Makers of magazine military and sporting rifles, about 1807-74. There were 313 breech-loading single-shot carbines and 1,015 rifles made on the Ward-Burton system, Burton patent of Dec. 20, 1859, No. 26,475, and W. G. Ward patent of Feb. 21, 1871, No. 111,994, at the Springfield Armory in 1871, and were issued for trial to troops in 1872.
WARD, H. D.— Massachusetts, 1863.
WARD, S. H. — Jamestown, N. C. Halfstock percussion rifle with Josh Golcher lock; percussion pea rifles.
Ware & Morse—Gunmakers. Joseph S. Ware and John R. Morse. Established at Worcester, Mass.*, in 1833.
WARE & MORSE— Joseph S. Ware and John R. Morse, Worcester, Mass., 1825-33 and later.
Ware & Wheelock—Gunmakers. Established at Worcester, Mass., in 1825.
WARE & WHEELOCK— Worcester, Mass., 1825 and after.
WARE, J. S. — Unlocated 12 ga. double, percussion shotgun.
WARE, Orlando — Worcester, Mass.
WAREHAM, David— Ohio.
WARFIELD, L. & CO.— Gun barrel makers. Marking on barrel of a half stock, percussion plains rifle by S. J. Fosdick, Laporte, Ind.
WARNER — Rochester, N. Y. Over-under percussion rifle-shotgun. Also New York style mule-ear hammer percussion rifle.
WARNER & LOWE— Syracuse, N. Y., 1879-80. Horace Warner and William V. Lowe. Percussion sporting rifles.
WARNER, Benjamin Franklin — Seneca County (Indian Country). Came from Connecticut. Made gunstocks for the Senecas. Went with the tribe to Fort Gibson, Iowa.
WARNER, Charles — Windsor Locks, Conn. Maker of 6-shot percus sion revolvers.
WARNER, George— Lancaster, Pa., 1857.
WARNER, H.— Unlocated. Flintlock Kentucky rifles.
WARNER, Horace — Ridgeway, Pa.
WARNER, Horace— Williamsport, Pa., about 1890.
WARNER, Horace — Born near Hartford, Conn., about 1832; died at Williamsport, Pa., 1893. Moved to Ridgeway, Pa., when 16; taught himself gunsmithing. Served in Berdan's Civil War sharpshooters. Made hunting and target rifles at Williamsport, Pa.; moved to Syracuse, N. Y., about 1880 and made many target and machine rest rifles weighing up to 60 lbs., most with under-hammer locks and Berdan primer ignition. A famous match shooter.
WARNER, James — Revolver manufacturer of Springfield, Mass., brother of Thomas Warner. Operator of the Springfield Arms Co. Active before 1850 to about 1869. Maker of Warner pocket per cussion revolvers, 6-shot revolving percussion rifles and Warner rim-fire cartridge carbines, 150 of which were purchased by the government between Jan. 24 and Nov. 15, 1864, and 2,500 from Feb. 2 to March 15, 1865. The 1850 City Directory lists the James Warner & Co pistol factory at Lyman and Gardner Streets. Thereafter, until 1869, the address is Blake's Hill. See Springfield Arms Co., which this pistol factory is believed to be. The Warner hand arms were manufactured under patents of Jan. 1851, No. 7,894; July 15, 1851, No. 8,229, and July 28, 1857, No. 17,904. The Warner carbine was patented Feb, 23, 1864, No. 41,732. Warner, believed to have been a former employe of the Massachusetts Arms Co., was born about 1818 and died in 1870.
WARNER, JAMES & CO. — See Warner, James, above, and Spring field Arms Co.
WARNER, Joseph— Gunsmith. Rose Alley, Phila., Pa., 1819.
WARNER, Thomas — Arms maker, elder brother of James Warner, born at Springfield, Mass., June 12, 1793. After serving a three year apprenticeship to his uncle, a millwright of North Amherst, Mass., he returned to Springfield in 1814, and entered the service at the Armory. By 1837 Warner was Master Armorer, which posi tion he held until Dec. 31, 1842. At this time the civilian superin tendents were being replaced with Ordnance Department person nel, and Warner left the armory service, and went to the Whit neyville Armory, to take charge of the tooling up for the produc tion of the Model 1841 rifle. In 1848-49, Thomas Warner was associated with Edwin Wesson, and later with the Massachusetts Arms Co. He is next found at the Waters Armory, at Millbury, Mass., and was active in the removal of the Waters machinery to the Palmetto Armory of Columbia, S. C. After that Warner was engaged in New York in an enterprise of rifling muskets; then went to Chicopee Falls, and finally back to Springfield, where he died Feb. 11, 1885.
WARREN — Albany, N. Y. Maker of a curly maple half stock, muzzle loading, percussion sporting rifle. See Warren & Steele.
WARREN & STEELE— Albany, N. Y. Marking on the lock of an Eng lish barreled, percussion pistol.
WARREN, A. J. & CO.— Memphis, Tenn., 1860.
WARREN. Milton — Abingdon, Va. Apprenticed under John M. White sides of Abingdon (then Wolf Hills). Percussion Kentucky rifles.
WASHBURN, Nathan — Worcester, Mass. Was making five tons of rifle-barrel iron per day for the Springfield Armory, and was under contract to furnish 100,000 rifle-musket barrels during the Civil War.
WASHINGTON ARMS CO.— Unidentified. Makers of single-shot and 6-shot pepperbox, percussion pistols.
WASSMAN, F. — Washington, D. C, percussion period.
WATERS— Dutchess County, N. Y. Gunsmith to Committee of Safety, 1775-76.
WATERS & WHITMORE— Massachusetts musket makers, contractors of Sept. 8, 1808, for 5,000 Model 1808 muskets, delivery to be completed in five years. Of these 3,000 were delivered by Oct. 7, 1812. The arms were probably made either in the Sutton or Millbury Waters armories.
WATERS Armory — See, Waters, Asa, Jr., and Waters, Asa H.
WATERS, A. & CO.— See Waters, Asa W. Jr.
WATERS, Andrus — Sutton, Mass., musket maker to Committee of Safety, 1775-76. Died in 1778. Brother of Asa Waters.
WATERS, Asa — Revolutionary War musket maker and gunsmith to Committee of Safety. Asa Waters was born at Sutton, Mass., Jan. 27, 1742. With his brother Andrus he established the Sutton Waters Armory on Singletary Stream, Sutton, Mass., which fur nished arms to the Continental troops. It is reputed to have been one of the first to utilize water power in the operation of trip hammers used in making skelps and gun forgings. The iron ore for the works was obtained from Salisbury, in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Andrus Waters who had been taking care of the ore shipments, died from exposure after two years of operations, and was buried at West Point with military honors; the business being carried on by Asa. Asa Waters had also served as lieutenant in a company of the Lexington Alarm. He died Dec. 24, 1814.
WATERS, Asa, Jr. — Son of Asa Waters above. Asia, Jr., was born at Sutton, Nov. 2, 1769, at his father's home at West Main and Rhodes Streets. With his elder brother Elijah, he learned the gunsmith trade in his father's factory. In 1797 Asa, Jr. and Elijah Waters purchased land and water power on Blackstone River, below the Singletary, and built the Waters Armory. Elijah died in 1814, and Asa (Jr.) became the sole proprietor. As in his father's shops, the welding of barrels at the Waters Armory was done by water power operated trip-hammer perfected by Asa Waters and patented Oct. 25, 1817. Asa Waters had received the following contracts: Oct. 16, 1818, for 10,000 stands at the rate of 2,000 yearly, beginning April 1, 1819, (M. 1816: The barrels and bayonets to be brown color, locks unpolished). October 16, 1823, Waters obtained an additional contract for 10,000 Model 1816 muskets with deliveries of 2,000 per annum from Jan. 1, 1825, Contract of Jan. 24, 1829, details unknown. Sept. 22, 1836, Waters contracted for 4,000 pistols Model 1836 at $9.00 each, to be delivered by Dec. 31, 1837. On Feb. 7, 1840, Asa Waters, in association with his son, Asa H., under the name of A. Waters & Son, obtained an additional contract for 15,000 pistols. Model 1836, (still flintlock) at $7.50 each, the con tract being of five years duration with deliveries at the rate of 3,000 per annum. Apparently after 1843 Asa H. Waters (son of Asa) took over the management of the firm and incorporated, for pistols dated 1844 are stamped "A. H. Waters & Co." A part of the arms making machinery of the Waters Armory was sold to Wm. Glaze, operator of the Palmetto Armory at Columbia, S. C, in 1852, and was later used in the manufacture of Palmetto Armory arms. The Waters Armory is known to have made early Joslyn carbines after 1855.
WATERS, Elijah— Sutton, Mass. Son of Asa Waters and elder brother of Asa, Jr. Active from about 1775 until his death in 1814. See Waters, Asa, Jr.
WATERS, Richard— Salem, Mass., 1632.
WATKEYS, Henry— New York City, N. Y., before and after 1772-76. Proposed to the Provincial Congress of New York (under con sideration June 13, 1775,) to furnish 1,000 muskets complete with steel ramrods, bayonets and scabbards at the price of £3, 15 shill ings per stand, New York currency.
WATSON, J. M.— Altoona, Pa., late 19th century. Over-under rifle shotgun, serial No. 23.
WATSON, Jonathan— Chester, N. H., 1800.
WATSON, Walter— Fayetteville, N. C. Advertised Nov. 7, 1864, "Pis tol Maker and Machinist. Guns and pistols made and repaired with Dispatch. Members of Reserves and Home Guards can have their arms repaired at half-price."
WATT — McVeytown, Pa. Extensive maker of flintlock Kentucky rifles.
WATT, G. — Unlocated. Percussion Kentucky rifle.
WATT, J. — Licking Creek, Juniata Co., Pa. Percussion Kentucky rifles.
WATT, J. — Unlocated. Heavy-barrel, flintlock match rifle.
WATT, William — Old employee of Hawken shop in St. Louis, Mo. Operated it during 1859-61, while Samuel Hawken and his son were in Denver, Colo.
WAY, Arad— Canfield, Ohio 1800-08. Trumbull and Middlebury Sum mit Co., 1812. Made pistols.
WEATHERBY, Joseph— Gunsmith. Above 449 Front, Phila., Pa., 1819.
WEATHERHEAD, Joseph— U. S. Inspector of Contract Arms, 1821 25. Inspected arms in plants of R. & J. D. Johnson, Simeon North, Lemuel Pomeroy, Nathan Starr and Asa Waters.
WEAVER, Cry pret— Pennsylvania, 1818.
WEAVER, H. B. — South Windham, Conn. Breech-loading percussion shotgun.
WEAVER, Hugh— Pleasant Ridge, Ohio, about 1870. Half-stock, per cussion target rifle.
WEAVER, Sam— Unlocated. Beautiful converted flintlock Kentucky rifle, early period.
WEBB, S. — Unlocated single action revolvers.
WEBBER ARMS CO.— Denver, Col. Modern.
WEBEL, Charles— Gunsmith, Jackson near Tchouptoulas Sts., New Orleans, La., 1853.
WEBER, P. — Unlocated. Curly maple, half stock percussion rifle.
WEDDELL, P. M.— Zanesville, Ohio, 1823. Flintlock, fullstock Ken tucky rifle (now converted to percussion) with silver inlays in stock, complex patch box opening device. Marked on barrel, in script "P. M. WEDDEL" and on a silver inlay under cheek piece "ZANESVILLE 1823."
WEEDS, N. B. & H.— Unlocated. Flintlock Kentucky rifle.
WEEKS, D. — Erie, Pa. Percussion halfstock squirrel rifle, Steatham lock.
WEIBLE, J.— Unlocated. 1844 Percussion rifle.
WEICHOLD, Jack— 4047 Herron Ave., Cincinnati, O. Modern under hammer percussion match rifle.
WEIDMAN, Solomon— Lancaster, Pa., 1857.
WEIKER, G.— Pennsylvania, period of 1780. Flintlock Kentucky rifle, engraved on patchbox, "G. Weiker, gunsmith, has his price $16.48 for manufacturing."
WEIS, G. — Pennsylvania. Over-under percussion rifle-shotgun.
WEISER, G. W.— Pennsylvania, 1839.

WELCH, BROWN & CO.— William W. Welch and his sureties, Plumb Brown and Austin A. Spaulding, Norfolk, Conn., Civil War con tractors, for 16,000 Springfield rifle-muskets, Model 1861, contract of June 6, 1862. Of these 1,360 were recorded delivered: 1,000 April (?) 21, 1865, and 360 May 3, 1865, both lots at $15.00 each. In the records the first date is given as August 21: - this is be lieved to be a typographical error, as both lots were paid for in full on May 11, 1865.
WELCH, James— Philadelphia, Pa., 1783.
WELCH, W. W.— William Wickham Welsh, Norfolk, Conn. Civil War arms contractor. Organized a concern for the manufacture of percussion rifle muskets Model 1861. Nov. 6, 1861, for 18,000 at $20.00 each. 16,000 delivered. Jan. 12, 1864, for 2,500 at $18.00 each. 1,000 delivered. The rifle-muskets were made in the long stone shop of the Empire Company. After the war the same company undertook the manufacture of "revolving pistols" under the name of "The Connecticut Arms Company." Dr. Welch was born Dec. 10, 1818, in Norfolk, Conn. Gradu ated from Yale Medical School in 1839 and represented his town in General Assembly during years 1848, 1850, 1879 and 1881. Was State Senator from 17th District in 1851-52 and Representative in Congress from 4th Congressional District of Connecticut in 1855-57. In addition to his interest in rifle-musket contracts, Dr. Welch was active in a number of other enterprises, including services as vice-president of Norfolk Bank from 1862 until his death in 1892.
WELDON, Robin— Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, 1810. Made imple ments of war, War of 1812. Lived in blockhouse during the War.
WELHANCE, Kunrat — York, Pa., musket maker. Associated with Jacob Laether in a contract with the Commonwealth of Pennsyl vania, of April 11, 1798, for 1,200 Charleville pattern, (Model 1795) muskets. He is also listed as Conrad Welshanze in a later contract of April 17, 1801, also with Pennsylvania, in which, he in association with Jacob Doll and Henry Pickell, of York County, contracted for 1,000 Charleville pattern, (Model 1795) muskets.
WELLES, C— See Wells, C.
WELLS & HALE — Milwaukee, Wis. Percussion rifles. See Wells, John C.
WELLS, C— (Or Welles). Milwaukee, Wis., 1867-1910. Gunmaker, gunsmith and dealer. Formed a partnership with a Mr. Hale and was listed as Welles & Hale from about 1858 until about 1870. Located at 15 Wisconsin Avenue until 1871, later 87 Wisconsin (1871), 425 East Water Street (1878) 423% East Water (1887), 419 Sycamore (1893), 5,124 Second Street (1910). Made single and double barrel percussion rifles and shotguns.
WELLS, J. H. — Staunton, Va. Kentucky rifle for match shooting.
WELLS, W. & BRO. — Madison, Ind. Makers of percussion gun locks.
WELSH, James— Dock Ward, Northern part Philadelphia, Pa., 1779. Flintlock holster pistol.
WELSHANS, Jacob — Probably same as Welshantz below. Contracted for "rifle guns" in 1792. Payment of $72.00 recorded.
WELSHANTZ, David— York County, Pa., 1780-83.
WELSHANTZ, Jacob— York County, Pa., 1777-83. Worked for the State 1777-80.
WELSHANTZ, Joseph— York County, Pa., 1779-83.
WELSHANZE, Conrad — York, Pa., musket maker. In association with Jacob Doll and Henry Pickell, of York County, contracted April 17, 1801, with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 1,000 muskets, Charleville pattern. Under the name of Kunrat Welhance he had earlier, April 11, 1798, contracted in association with Jacob Laether to fur nish the Commonwealth with 1,200 muskets made on the Charle ville pattern. Doubtless was of the same clan with the Welshantz gunsmiths above, regardless of the spelling of the family name.
WELSHENS, J.— No details. (Joseph or Jacob Welshantz?)
WELTON, Ard — Waterbury, Conn., musket maker, before and after 1773-1801. Contractor under the Act of July 5, 1798, for 1,000 Charleville pattern (Model 1795), muskets at $13.40 per stand. $7,865 recorded paid on account in 1799; $7,705 in 1800, and $598.20 in 1801. Welton had served as lieutenant in the Con tinental Army during the Revolutionary War.
WELZHOFER, Joseph— 307 Main St., Buffalo, N. Y., 1845.
WENTZEL, W. H.— Frederick, Md. (?) Maker of a side-by-side, double barrel, percussion rifle with curly maple half-stock and locks by "McKIM & CO."
WERGER, Christian — Leacock Township, Pa., musket maker to Com mittee of Safety in 1776.
WERNER, Charles — Rochester, N. Y. Percussion period.
WERNER, J. G.— York, Pa. Percussion, double-barrel rifle.
WERTER — Gun barrel maker; late flint period. Stamped under breech of H. Gibbs, Lancaster, Kentucky rifle.
WERTZ, Peter — Gunsmith, Saleto Township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, 1811.
WESLE, Norbert — Milwaukee, Wis. Percussion hunting and target rifles. Located on Third between Chestnut and Prairie in 1854-55, on Third between Tamarack and Prairie in 1856-61, at 289 Third in 1862-74, and at 315 State Street from 1874 to 1880.
WESSON & HARRINGTON— Worcester, Mass., 1871-74. Makers of 5 and 7-shot cartridge revolvers. Succeeded by Harrington & Richardson 1875 to date. See the latter firm.
WESSON & PRESCOTT— Northboro, Mass. Prior to 1850. Edwin Wesson in association with E. A. (?) Prescott, rifle manufac turers. Partnership dissolved on Edwin Wesson's death in 1850.
WESSON, D. B.— Daniel Baird Wesson, one of the founders of Smith & Wesson, was born at Worcester, Mass., in May, 1825, of an old New Hampshire family of English descent. After a brief attempt to interest himself in the shoe business with his brothers Rufus and Martin, Daniel joined his brother Edwin at Northboro in 1843, and completed his apprenticeship in 1846. He continued with Edwin until about 1850, when his brother died. After work ing for a time for his brother Frank, who had a gunsmith shop at Grafton, and with Leonard at Charlestown, Mass., as super intendent of the Leonard pepperbox pistol plant, Wesson went to work for Allen, Brown and Luther at Worcester, Mass., in 1852. There he became associated with Horace Smith and the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., and later formed the Smith & Wesson arms manufacturing firm. See Smith & Wesson. Daniel B. Wesson died at Springfield, Mass., August 4, 1906.
WESSON, Edward— Grafton, Mass., 1834-40, then at Northboro until 1843 and later.
WESSON, Edwin — Son of Rufus Wesson, a native of New Hampshire, who migrated to Massachusetts and established a plow manu factory. Edwin apprenticed himself to Silas Allen of Shrewsbury, and later set up for himself at Northboro, where in association with Leavitt he manufactured the Wesson and Leavitt revolver, until his death in 1850. See Massuchusetts Arms Co. Edwin was an older brother of Daniel B. Wesson.
WESSON, Frank— Brother of Daniel B. and Edwin Wesson. Arms manufacturer of Worcester, Mass. Active about 1850-77. Maker of Wesson pistols, military carbines and sporting and target rifles, under the patent of Frank Wesson and N. S. Harrington of Oct. 25, 1859. No. 25,926, and the numerous Frank Wesson patents of Nov. 11, 1862; Dec. 15, 1868; July 20, 1869; June 13, 1871 and July 10, 1877. One hundred and fifty Wesson rim-fire carbines were pur chased by the government during the Civil War, as well as many hundreds by various states and units.
WESSON, STEVENS & MILLER— Hartford, Conn., Edwin Wesson, Joshua Stevens and S. C. Miller, manufacturers, between 1837-49, of hand-turned cylinder, percussion revolvers made on the Daniel Leavitt of Cabotsville (now Chicopee), Mass., patent of April 29, 1837, No. 182.
WEST, Stephen — Woodward, Frederick Co., Md. Revolutionary War period. His letter with address given as Woodyard, (?), dis cusses the many merits of his guns and scoffs at all others pro duced in Maryland, particularly those of Isaac Harris, at "fit only to beat homminy with."
WESTERN ARMS CO.— New York, N. Y. and Chicago, 111. Percussion pocket and rim-fire cartridge belt revolvers. Quite likely made for Western Arms Company by some other firm.
WESTERN ARMS CORP.— Ithaca, N. Y., Modern.
WESTERN GUN WORKS— Chicago, 111. "Tramp's Terror" .22 pocket revolver.
WESTPHALL, Charles W.— Musket maker. In association with Frederick Goetz of Philadelphia, contracted on July 13, 1808, for 2,500 Model 1808 muskets, duration five years. Of these 1,019 recorded delivered by Oct. 7, 1812.
WETMORE, W. W.— Lebanon, N. H., and Windsor, Vt. Percussion gaintwist rifle for picket bullet; false muzzle recessed for either linen or paper cross-patch.
WETZEL, Jonathan — Pennsylvania. Middle and late flintlock period and early percussion, Roman nose style, graceful Kentucky rifles.
WEYERMAN, Isaac— Le Soeur County, Minn., 1864-65.
WHALL, William— Kirby St., Liberty Square, Phila., Pa. Advertised for an apprentice Feb. 2, 1793 and had for sale pistols," very elegant Fowling and Cocking Pieces . . . calculated for large and small game . . . very elegant Muskets with bayonets, fit for mili tary gentlemen."
WHALL, William, Jr.— Boston, Mass., 1813-19.
WHEATLEY, Henry— Washington and Claysville, Washington Co., Pa.
WHEELDON, James— Pomeroy, O., 19th-20th century. Muzzle-loading rifles.
WHEELER & MORRISON— Virginia musket makers, contractors of Oct. 21, 1808, for 2,500 Model 1808 muskets, duration five years. Only 125 delivered by Oct. 7, 1812.
WHEELER, A. G.— Farmington, Me., 1867-68.
WHEELER, G. E.— Farmington, Me., 1877. Maker of Plains rifles.
WHEELER, George — Stevensburg, Culpepper Co., Va. Musket maker to the State of Virginia, and operator of Wheeler's Works. Con tracted with the State about 1797, for 4,000 muskets, of which 250 were inspected and passed Oct. 16, 1801, at Richmond, Va., by Alex Quarrier and John Clerke with comments that the work was roughly executed, especially in the locks, but better than any Wheeler had made before; considerably inferior to guns sent from Philadelphia. Another parcel is reported inspected and passed Feb. 23, 1802, by John Strode.
WHEELER, J. H.— Unlocated, Heavy barrel (24 lb.) percussion target rifle.
WHEELER, Leicester — Forged pistol barrels, Springfield Armory, 1808.
WHETCROFT, William— Annapolis, Md. Musket maker to Commit tee of Safety 1776. Had a plant producing 50 muskets a week.
WHIPPLE, T. H.— Cambridge, Vt. Made heavy sharpshooters' rifles for Union forces. An 18-lb. under-hammer percussion rifle.
WHIT, J. R. — Gunsmith. Seneca Co., Ohio. Bored gun barrels and repaired arms during War of 1812.
WHITE, E. B. — Unlocated. Maker of percussion under-hammer pepperbox pistol with bootleg grip.
WHITE, H.— Gunsmith, Jackson, Jackson Co., Ohio, 1851-65.
WHITE, H. W. — Jackson, Ohio. Percussion Kentucky rifle.
WHITE, Horace — Springfield, Mass., arms maker to Committee of Safety 1775-76.
WHITE, J. — Uniontown, Pa., from about 1815. Smallbore rifles. (Same as, or related to John White of Uniontown, Pa.?)
WHITE, J. A.— Gunsmith. Jackson, Jackson Co., Ohio, 1854-58.
WHITE, John— New Lisbon, (now Lisbon) Columbiana, County, Ohio. Active in the early part of 19th Century.
WHITE, John— Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa., about 1790-1810.
WHITE, John— Gunsmith. New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio.
WHITE, L. B. — Underhammer percussion pistol.
WHITE, Nicholas — Frederick Town, Md., musket maker, associated with Thomas Crabb, Jacob Metzger and Christopher Barnhizle in a contract under Act of July 5, 1798, for 1,000 Charleville pattern (Model 1795) muskets at $13.40 per stand. Of these 235 delivered by June 10, 1801.

WHITE, Peter — Annapolis, Md., rifle maker of the Revolutionary War period.
WHITE, Peter— Colerain Township. Bedford Co., Pa., 1825.
WHITE, Peter— Highly ornamented flintlock rifles. Said by Uriah Fisher to have been the first gunsmith in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa. Possibly the same as Peter White above.
WHITE, Rollin — Arms inventor and designer was born at Williams town, Vt, June 6, 1817. During 1849-57 he resided at Hartford, Conn., where he worked for two of his brothers, contractors to Colt, in 1849. He did contract work for Colt from 1849 until 1852, when he left Colts on their abandonment of the contract system in their shops. Lived at Davenport, Iowa, from 1857 to 1863, when because of frequent visits East, necessary because of his patent interests, he moved to Springfield, Mass. In 1864 he pur chased a residence in Lowell and engaged in the invention of arms as well as many other mechanical devices, such as a loom, wrenches, spinning spindles, drawing punches, a torpedo, car tridges, etc. About 1866 he heard that a Lowell revolver manu facturing firm had without his consent assumed his name in con nection with their trade name, Rollin White Arms Company, which he caused them to abandon, they changing to Lowell Arms Co. Rollin White died at Lowell March 22, 1892. Rollin White's patent of "a cylinder bored end to end" pur chased by Smith & Wesson, had paid him a royalty of 50 cents per arm, but since the terms of the contract stipulated that White had to defend his patent against infringements, most of the royalties were absorbed in law suits to defend the patent, which expired on April 3, 1869. White succeeded in obtaining Congressional legislation for its extension, but the measure was vetoed by President Grant, because the control of the patent had deprived the Union armies of cartridge re volvers during the Civil War.
WHITE, ROLLIN ARMS CO.— Lowell, Mass. Established about 1864, to manufacture cartridge revolvers which infringed on the Rollin White patents controlled by Smith & Wesson, and 8,642 revolvers were turned over to Smith & Wesson for sale. The firm assumed the name of Rollin White without author ity or permission from Mr. White. On Rollin White's protest on the use of his name, the firm's name was changed to Lowell Arms Co.
WHITE, W. H.— Jackson, Ohio, 1851-65.
WHITESCARVER, CAMPBELL & CO.— Rusk, Cherokee Co., Tex. Delivered 750 Texas (Model 1841 type) Rifles by November, 1864. Texas Rifles were issued mainly to Indian troops serving in the Confederate army and stationed in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.
WHITESIDES, John M.— Abingdon (then Wolf Hills), Va. Axe maker, turned to riflesmithing. Handmade percussion Kentucky rifles, mounted with iron, brass, German silver, or silver. Scroll wire inlaying a specialty. Taught Milton Warren.
WHITING, John— Independence, Iowa. 1867-68.
WHITMAN, B.— Stillwater, N. Y. Percussion period.
WHITMORE — Sutton, Mass., musket maker associated with Asa Waters in a contract of Sept. 8, 1808, for 5,000 Model 1808 muskets, of five years duration. Of these 3,000 delivered by Oct. 7, 1812.
WHITMORE & WOLFF— Makers of half stock, muzzle loading per cussion rifle with double set triggers. See Whitmore, Wolff below.
WHITMORE, Andrew H.— Somerville, Mass., 1868.
WHITMORE, H. G.— Boston, Mass., 1853 and later.
WHITMORE, Nathaniel .—G Rifle maker. Born at Mansfield, Mass., in 1829, and learned the trade in his father's shop. Worked for Sharps Rifle Co. and Remingtons. Died at Eastondale, Mass., in 1917. Maker of a heavy barrel, muzzle loading, percussion, target rifle with double set triggers. A presentation rifle by Whitmore was gift to Gen. U. S. Grant from the citizens of Providence, R. I., and is now in the Smith sonian Institution in Washington, D. C.
WHITMORE, W. W.— Percussion period. Under J. H. Durkee at Lebanon, N. H.; later opened shop at Springfield, Mass.
WHITMORE, WOLFF & CO.— 50 Wood St., Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1853. M. Whitmore, C. H. Wolff, Hugh Jones, Geo. J. Duff, "Importers and Wholesale Dealers in Hardware and Cutlery." Makers of front and back action locks. Probable firm sequence: Whitmore & Wolff; Whitmore, Wolff & Co.; Whitmore, Wolff, Duff & Co.
WHITMORE, WOLFF, DUFF & CO.— Pittsburgh, Pa. Lockmakers, late percussion period. Back-action lock with this marking on a M. Rmgle, late Kentucky rifle. See Whitmore, Wolff & Co., above.
WHITNEY ARMORY— Whitneyville, Conn. Established by Eli Whit ney, inventor of the cotton gin, upon the receipt of a contract to make 10,000 muskets under the Act of July 5, 1798. The armory made flintlock, percussion and cartridge arms for the government and for private use in the 90 years of its existence, including Models 1798, 1808, 1812, 1816 flintlock muskets, 1841 percussion rifles, Springfield rifle muskets during the Civil War, percussion as well as cartridge revolvers, and Whitney, Burgess, Phoenix, Kennedy and other sporting and military rifles and carbines. The armory ceased operations in 1888. See Whitney, Eli, £r. and Jr., below.
WHITNEY ARMS CO.— New Haven, Conn., 1866-69. Eli Whitney (Jr.) Pres. Connected with the Whitney Armory. Made Howard patent hammerless rifles for Howard Bros.
WHITNEY SAFETY FIREARMS CO.— Florence, Mass., 1891*
WHITNEY, Eli (Jr.)— Whitneyville, Conn. Son of Eli Whitney (Sr.), the founder of the Whitney Armory. The younger Whitney be came of age in November, 1842. Under his administration the Whitney armory received numerous government contracts, in cluding large orders for Model 1841 percussion rifles. Thomas Warner, ex-master armorer of the Springfield Armory, super intended the tooling up and the manufacture of these rifles. Some of these arms were shipped to New Orleans about 1847, and issued to the 1st Mississippi Regiment commanded by Jeffer son Davis, and so acquired the name of Mississippi rifles. The government contracts received before the Civil War included the following: Oct. 22, 1842, for 7,500 Model 1841 rifles at $13.00 each, to be delivered by Jan. 1, 1847; an addi tional order of March 27, 1848, for 7,500 more at $12.87%; Feb. 6, 1849, for 2,500 rifles at $12.87 and one for 100 rifles at $11.62% each, dated May 24, 1855. During the Civil War Whitney delivered 15,001 Whitney rifle muskets under contract of Oct. 17, 1863. In addition the government purchased 11,214 Whitney Navy revolvers. From the end of the Civil War until it suspended operations in 1888, the Whitney armory was engaged in the manufacture of various types of military and sporting arms. See Whitney Armory.
WHITNEY, Eli (Sr.)— New Haven, Conn. Born Dec. 8, 1765. Famous as the inventor of the cotton gin. On Jan. 14, 1798, under the influence of Hon. Oliver Wolcott, the Secretary of War, Whitney obtained a contract for 10,000 Charleville pattern muskets (Model 1795) at $13.40 per stand, and established an armory for their manufacture at the foot of East Rock, (Whitneyville) about two miles from New Haven. The contract was not completed until 1809, due to many difficulties encountered in the establishment of a new business, but the Whitney arms proved very satisfactory and embodied improvements which became features of later models. April 8, 1808, Whitney contracted to furnish the State of New York with 2,000 muskets at $13.00 per stand; these were delivered by March 13, 1811, and an additional 2,000 were ordered. His next government contracts were of July 18, 1812, for 15,000 stands; August 1, 1822, for 3,000 muskets Model 1816, at $12.00 per stand to be delivered by Feb. 1, 1824, which was followed on August 15, 1822, by an additional contract for 15,000 more of the same model, also at $12.00, to be delivered at the rate of 3,000 per annum from January 1, 1824. Eli Whitney (Sr.) died Jan. 8, 1826, and during his son's, Eli's (Jr.) minority, the Whitney Armory was operated by a Board of Trustees, among them P. & E. W. Blake (Eli W. Blake was a nephew of Eli Whitney, Sr.). The Blake name appears on Whitney arms before and after 1827.
WHITNEY, James S.— Colonel Ordnance. Superintendent Springfield Armory from October 19, 1854 to March 1, 1860.
WHITNEY, John— Independence, Iowa, 1867. Made some rifles but mostly did repair work. Closed his shop in 1880's. Died towards end of that decade.
WHITSIDE, R. & J.— Makers of a full curly maple stock, double set triggers, flintlock Kentucky rifle.
WHITTEMORE, Amos— Boston, Mass., about 1775-85. Arms maker to Committee of Safety.
WHITTEMORE, D.— Cambridge, Mass., 1860.
WHITTIER, O. W.— Enfield, N. H. Designed and made 6-shot per cussion hammerless revolving rifles, Kentucky style stock.
WHYSONG, Samuel— Pavia, Union Township, Bedford Co., Pa., 1877.
WICKER & HAGADORN— Ypsilanti, Mich. Double-barrel, side-by side percussion rifles.
WICKHAM & CO.— Military and fancy hardware, 94 High, Phila., Pa. See M. T. Wickham. 1819 Directory ad reads:- "Importers of Hardware Military and Sportsmen's Articles Have constantly on hand An extreme assortment of . . . A good variety of Fowling Pieces, Pistols, Sabres, Swords, Dirks, Foils, Locks - and component parts of each . . ."
WICKHAM, M. T.— Philadelphia, Pa., musket maker. Contractor of July 19, 1822, for 5,000 Model 1816 muskets to be delivered at the rate of 2,000 per year from January 1, 1823. Dec. 6, 1823, he received a contract for an additional 10,000, deliveries at 2,000 a year from July 1, 1824. He also had a navy contract for muskets of 1826, at $14.00 per stand. Also army contract of Jan. 24, 1829. Marine T. Wickham had been a U. S. Inspector of Arms, 1811-15. He is listed in 1829-33 in the Philadelphia City Directory at the location of the John Joseph Henry gun factory, at the corner of 3rd and Noble Streets.
WICKHAM, T.— Philadelphia, Pa., 1775-76. Gunsmith to Committee of Safety.
WICKHUN & MATHUES— Unlocated, period of 1810. Fine flintlock Kentucky rifles.
WICKLINE— Gunsmith. New Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. Halfstock Kentucky type, percussion rifles.
WICKLINE, G. L.— Cadmus, O., late 19th century. Percussion half stock Kentucky rifle.
WIDMER, J. — Newark, N. J. Schuetzen rifle of fine, plain workman ship. Remington Cast Steel barrel marked on top flat "J. WID MER NEWARK, N. J."
WIGFALL, Samuel — Philadelphia, Pa., musket-lock maker to Com mittee of Safety. Contracted for 200 musket-locks Dec. 5, 1775.
WIGLE, Peter— York County, Pa., 1777-80. Had worked for the State.
WILCOCKS, John — Revolutionary War officer and operator of a gun lock factory.
WILCOX, John— Deep River, N. C, 1776-79. Maker of rifle barrels, shot and cannon for the State at his foundry and iron works.
WILDER, F. — Unlocated. Light weight, single-barrel shotgun.
WILDER, R. M. — Coldwater, Mich., 3-barrel, swivel-breech, percus sion rifle.
WILEY— Pennsylvania gunsmith to Committee of Safety, 1775-76.
WILHELM, Jacob— Lancaster, Pa., 1857.
WILKINS, Neil— Gunsmith, Zanesville, Muskigum Co, Ohio, 1804 1820.
WILKINSON— Keesville, N. Y, 1870. Bolt action rifle.
WILKINSON, J. D.— Plattsburg, N. Y., 1866 and after.
WILKS, John— Letter cutter and gunsmith. Capitol St, Albany, N. Y, in 1815; 119 State St. in 1820-1821; different addresses up to 1826.
WILLARD CASE & CO.— New Hartford, Conn. Makers of under hammer percussion pistols.
WILLARD, A. — Boston, Mass. Underhammer percussion pistol.
WILLARD, Bartholomew — Burlington, Vt. Percussion period.
WILLERDING— Evansville, Ind.

WILLETS — Lock marking of a striped maple, full stock, goose-neck 238 American Gun Makers hammer, flintlock Kentucky rifle. Lock stamped with crown over V, so probably British; but see A. & S. Willets.
WILLETS, A. & S.— New York, N. Y. Maple-stocked flintlock fowling piece.
WILLIAM, Abraham— Covington, Ky., 1845.
WILLIAMS— Maquoketa, Iowa.
WILLIAMS & REZNER— Mercer, Pa. Percussion Plains rifle, brass mounted, walnut halfstock, G. Goulcher lock.
WILLIAMS, Abe— Craft Creek near Prosperity, Washington Co., Pa., 1835 or earlier, to about 1860. Flint and percussion rifles; name scribed on brass and inlaid in barrel. Operated water-power shop.
WILLIAMS, Abe — Owego, N. Y. Percussion period.
WILLIAMS, Charles— U. S. Inspector of Arms, 1808-14. Inspected sabers at plant of Nathan Starr 1812-13.
WILLIAMS, Edward— Connecticut. Certified he sold to Capt. Hez. Huntington and Amasa Palmer, musket makers to Committee of Safety, "good duble bridle gunlocks."
WILLIAMS, Elie— Williamsport, Md. Contractor under Act of July 5, 1798, for 2,000, Charleville pattern (Model 1795) muskets, at $13.40 per stand. It is believed that he failed on his contract. No payments are recorded.
WILLIAMS, M. D. — Horn ells ville, N. Y. .50 caliber percussion rifle, lock by Leman of Lancaster.
WILLIAMSON, David — New York, N. Y. The name appears on a per cussion derringer made under D. Williamson patent of Oct. 2, 1866, No. 58,525. Probably made by the National Arms Co., of Brooklyn, N. Y., or Moore Firearms Co. of Brooklyn (same firm), makers of Williamson arms.
WILLIS, John — Pennsylvania musket maker to Committee of Safety. In association with Benjamin Town, contracted on Dec. 6, 1775, to make 200 "firelocks" at £4, 5 shillings each. Willis was one of the petitioners to the Committee of Safety at Philadelphia in November, 1775, complaining against the rising cost of materials and labor entering into arms making.
WILLIS, Richard — Lancaster, Pa., gunsmith proscribed as "attained of treason" by public proclamation at Lancaster, June 15, 1778.
WILMOT, N. M. — St. Louis, Mo. Percussion 6 ga. goose gun.
WILMOT, N. N. — Boston, Mass. Possibly same as Nathaniel N. Wilmot, St. Paul, Minn., 1863-4.
WILMOT, Nathaniel N.— St. Paul, Minn., 1863-64.
WILSON & EVANS— 513 Clay and 122 Sacramento, San Francisco, Calif., 1862-63. 513 Clay, 1864-65.
WILSON, H. H. & SON— 27 6th St., San Francisco, Calif. 1887.
WILSON, Philip & Co.— Philadelphia, Pa., 1851. Percussion buffalo rifle.
WILSON, Sam— Fairchild, Conn. Shop on Hoyden Hill Road near Black Rock Turnpike. Active about 1835-67.
WILT, J.— Upper Hydraulic, Dayton, Ohio, 1850-54.
WIMTELL, J. — Unlocated. Marking on a percussion rifle lock.
WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.— New Haven, Conn. Organ ized by Oliver F. Winchester in 1866, upon reorganization of the New Haven Arms Co., of which Winchester had been one of the principal stockholders. Mr. Winchester, a shirt manufacturer of New Haven, Conn., had come to that city in 1848, and started a shirt factory, Win chester & Davies, at 59 Court St., the next house from his residence at 57 Court Street. He became interested in arms manu facturing in 1855 when he purchased stock in the Volcanic Re peating Arms Co., at Norwich, Conn., which moved to New Haven in February, 1856, failed in 1857; emerged as the New Haven Arms Co., and eventually became the Winchester. During the World War, the Winchester Company supplied the government with 465,980 Model 1917 (Enfield) rifles from August 1, 1917, to Nov. 9, 1918, as well as innumerable other equipment and munitions.
WINDSOR MFG. CO.— Windsor, Vt., 1867-68.
WING, Robert— Sharleston, S. C, 1867.
WINGER, Richard — Lancaster County, Pa., gunsmith to Committee of Safety, 1775-77.
WINGERT, William— Detroit, Mich. Active from 1845 to 1867. When he retired, his shop at 10 Congress Street East, was taken over by Fisher & Long. He made 3-barrel rifles, single-barrel per cussion rifles, and under-hammer pistols.
WINN, C. W. — Unlocated. Full stock percussion rifle.
WINNER, James— 104 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa., 1813.
WINNER, NIPPES & CO.— Pennsylvania musket makers. Contractors of July 20, 1808, for 9,000 Model 1808 muskets, five years dura tion. Of these 3,900 were delivered by Oct. 7, 1812.
WINNIGER, Adams — Gunsmith. Rockey Fork near Lucas, Richland Co. Repaired firearms at Beams Mill, 1812.
WINSHIP, Wynn — Gunsmith. Worked in Stockade, southeast of pub lic square, Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, War of 1812.
WINTABLE, Abraham— 437 North 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa., 1816.
WINTAFELD, Abel— Gunsmith. 437 N. Third, Phila., Pa., 1819.
WINTER, Gustave— Denver, Colo., 1879-80.
WINTERS, Elisha — Chestertown, Md., musket maker to Committee of Safety. Made 40 stands of muskets per month.
WINTERSTEIN, E.— Trinidad, Colo., 1874-80.
WITHER, John and Michael — Strasbourg Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., before and after 1771-79.
WITHERS, Michael — Lancaster County, Pa. Musket maker to Com mittee of Safety, 1775. Agreed to make muskets and bayonets at Philadelphia prices, and to confine himself and his workmen to that work.
WITHERS, William— Gunsmith. 5 Baker's Court, Phila., Pa. 1819.
WITMAN, Solomon— Lancaster, Pa., 1857.
WOLF— New York City. No details.
WOLFE, Luther M. — Willshire, O. Modern muzzle-loading rifles.
WOLFE, Meredith— Born in McMinn Co., Tenn., Sept. 3, 1833; died in Chattanooga, Feb. 8, 1930. Apprenticed under John Selvridge at Harris Creek, Bradley Co., Tenn., in 1845; later married his daughter Elizabeth. U. S. Marshal of Bradley Co.; opened lock and gun repair shop at Chattanooga, 1881; made percussion rifles. Father of gunsmiths John, James, Frank, and Robert Wolfe.
WOLFF & LANE— Or Wolfe & Lane, Pittsburgh, Pa., percussion lock makers. Early period percussion lock mounted on a plain, curly maple, fullstock rifle by J. & D. Little.
WOLFF & MASCHEK— Memphis, Tenn., 1860.
WOLFF & WHITMORE— Pittsburgh, Pa., gun-lock makers. See Whit more & Wolff, and Whitmore, Wolff & Co.
WOLFF, C. H.— Pittsburgh, Pa. Member of firms: Whitmore & Wolff; Whitmore, Wolff & Co.; Whitmore, Wolff, Duff & Co.
WOLFHEIMER, Philip— Lancaster, Pa., before 1783.
WOLLFINGER, Frank— Mohnton, Wyomissing Creek, Berks Co., Pa. Made rifle repairs.
WOMELSDORF— Unidentified. Silver inlaid, flintlock Kentucky rifle.
WOOD, Amos P. — North Hamden, N. Y. Percussion match and hunt ing rifles.
WOOD, B. C. — Painted Post, N. Y. Percussion rifles of many types, in cluding over-under, combination rifle-shotguns, and multi-barrel rifles. Also made under-hammer pistols.
WOOD, Daniel— Rochester, N. Y., in 1861. Designed improved tele scope sight with range-finder reticule.
WOOD, J. B. — Norwich, N. Y. 1866. Over-under percussion rifle shotgun.
WOOD, J. M. — Unlocated. Marking on halfstock Southern made rifle.
WOOD, John — Roxbury, Mass., 1775. Arms maker to Committee of Safety.
WOOD, John— Boston, Mass., 1800.
WOOD, Josiah — Norrington Township, Pa. Musket maker to Com mittee of Safety, 1775-76.
WOOD, Luke — Sutton, Mass. Flintlock rifles. Model 1808 musket lock plates are known marked "L.WOOD" and a five pointed star with a circle in the center, stamped over the name.
WOOD, W. N.— New York, N. Y. Percussion period.
WOOD, Win — Peebles, O. Recent percussion rifles.
WOODBURY, N. & CO.— Woodstock, Vt. Makers of underhammer percussion half stock rifle.
WOODS, James— Lancaster, Pa., about 1810-1820. Fine flintlock Ken tucky rifles.
WOODS, John — New York. Colonial gunsmith, who with Thomas Allen was returned to England in December, 1775, by Governor William Tryon with the inducement of prepaid passage, 20 guineas in cash and employment at a government armory.
WOODS, Robert— Pennsylvania, about 1800. Beautiful flintlock Ken tucky rifle.
WOODS, T.— Philadelphia, Pa., 1810.
WORKMAN, J.— Hamburg, Pa. Ornate flintlock Kentucky rifle with incised carving, 30 silver inlays.
WORL, H. — Pennsylvania, early flintlock period.
WORL, H. — Unlocated. Maker of over-under barels for percussion rifles. Rifle lock, stock and furniture by D. Young.
WORLEY — Wyomissing Creek, Pa. Built two gun shops on the Wyo missing about 1811. (Same as J. Worly above?) Was succeeded by John Keim, his superintendent.
WORLEY, David— East Finley Township, Washington Co., Pa. Per cussion period.
WORLEY, Henry — Son of Worley above. Shop superintendent for Benjamin Mohn, a Wyomissing Creek, Pa., gun-maker. Bought Mohn's shops on latter's retirement, prior to Civil War, and carried on the business until about 1880.
WORLY, J.— Unlocated. Also Worley. About 1800. Flintlock Kentucky rifles of fine workmanship.
WREN, I. G. — Unlocated. Walnut halfstock flintlock rifle with brass patchbox, silver eagles, acorns, etc.
WRIGHT — Southern maker of percussion Kentucky rifles.
WRIGHT ARMS CO. — Lawrence, Mass., about 1876. Makers of .22 cal. "All Right" palm revolver.
WRIGHT, A. — Newburgh, N. Y. Heavy percussion target rifle.
WRIGHT, A. C. — Fitchburg, Mass., percussion period.
WRIGHT, Alexander— Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 1835-46. Of the firm Palmateer & Wright.
WRIGHT, J.— Unlocated. About 1820.
WRIGHT, Loomis S. — Waddington, N. Y. Percussion period.
WRISLEY, Loren H.— Norway, Me., 1834, and later.
WUERKE, F.— Alton, 111. 1869-75.
WUERKER, Frederick — Alton, 111. Emigrated from Germany with brother Christian, settled at Alton in 1849. Gunmakers and lock smiths, active in 1875. Percussion rifle, curly maple halfstock.
WUNDHAMMER, Ludwig — Los Angeles, Cal. Modern rifle maker.
WURFFLEIN, Andrew— Philadelphia, Pa., about 1835 and later. Maker of percussion derringers and double-barrelled shotguns.
WURFFLEIN, J. & PESSOTA— Philadelphia, Pa.
WURFFLEIN, John — Unlocated. Percussion derringers and brass mounted needle guns.
WURFFLEIN, William— Philadelphia, Pa., 1874-1910. Son of Andrew Wurfflein. Maker of breech-loading sporting and target rifles and pistols.
WYLER, J. L. — Unlocated. Revolving side-hammer percussion rifle.