Marlin Firearms: A History of the Guns and the Company That Made Them

By William S. Brophy USAR

From 1863 to the present--the company and the men who made it successful, the details of all models of rifles and the many other Marlin products.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stackpole Books
• Release date: May 1, 1989
• ISBN: 9780811746946

Book preview

SECTION I

The History of Marlin Firearms Companies

John Mahlon Marlin and The Marlin Fire Arms Company

JOHN MARLIN’S BEGINNINGS

John Mahlon Marlin was born on May 6, 1836, in the vicinity of Boston Neck, near the town of Windsor Locks, Hartford County, Conn. At age 18 John Marlin became an apprentice machinist with the American Machine Works. The agreement that he signed was as follows:

A STATEMENT OF THE TERMS upon which John M. Marlin, son of James Doyle of Rainbow, Connecticut, is employed by the AMERICAN MACHINE WORKS, and agreed to by the parties hereunto.

John M. Marlin being eighteen years of age, on the sixth day of May One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Four is to labor for the American Machine Works, under their direction, at the machinists trade, until such time as he shall have arrived at the full and entire age of twenty one years, for which service well and truly performed, the American Machine Works shall pay him, the said John M. Marlin the following sums, at such time and manner as they usually pay the workmen in their employ.

Viz: For the first six months they are to make no payment, and the said John M. Marlin is not to receive any compensation for services during that time. For the second six months they are to pay him one dollar and fifty cents per week. For the third six months he is to receive two dollars and fifty cents per week. For the fourth six months he is to receive three dollars per week. For the fifth six months he is to receive three dollars and fifty cents per week. For the sixth six months he is to receive four dollars per week, and so on, increasing in the same ratio, until his term of service shall have expired.

It is also expressly understood that in the computation of time, both for payment of service, and the change of rates for such service, no time shall be reckoned or counted that shall not have been spent in actual service for the said American Machine Works.

It is further expressly understood that the said John M. Marlin is to faithfully observe, and obey all the rules and regulations of the American Machine Works, and shall be liable to discharge at any time, without recourse or complaint, for any disobedience or insubordination.

In Witness Whereof the parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this fourteenth day of November A.D. 1853.

American Machine Works

by P.B. Tyler, Supt.

James Doyle

I the undersigned John M. Marlin consider myself in honor bound to fulfill all the conditions of the above contract.

John M. Marlin

Note that the statement John Marlin signed listed his father as James Doyle of Rainbow, Conn., who apparently was his stepfather.

It is not known exactly what employment John Marlin pursued between the age of 21 and when he first opened his pistol manufacturing business in New Haven. However, it has been written that he worked as a machinist and toolmaker at the Colt factory in Hartford until he moved to New Haven in 1863.

The New Haven city directories and voters registry record John Marlin’s various addresses as follows:

1863John M. Marlin – pistol maker, boarding at 130 James St.

1864John M. Marlin – pistol maker, boarding at 241 State St. (Shop may have been 18 Williams St.)

1865Listed as pistol maker; home, 142 Franklin St.

1866Listed as pistol maker; home, 79 Bradley St.

1867–1869No listing in either city directories or voters registry

1870Listed as pistol maker; home on Mansfield St.

1871Listed as manufacturer of firearms at State and Hamilton Sts; home at 22 Orange St. (voters registry lists home as 299 Central Ave.)

1872Listed as manufacturer of firearms at State and Hamilton Sts; home at 59 Trumbull St.

1873Listed as manufacturer of firearms at 599 State St. (probably this was the exact street address and at the corner of Hamilton St. The street number changed after 1874, and therefore cannot be verified)

1874Same as 1873

1875Listed as pistol manufacturer at State and Hamilton Sts.; home at 188 East Grand Ave.

1876Same as 1875

Between 1867 and 1869, John Marlin was back in the Hartford area. His first two patents, dated February 8, 1870, and April 5, 1870, show him as being from Hartford, Conn. (The date of a patent is always a period of time after the patent application, so we can assume he was in Hartford at least into 1869 and then returned to New Haven to reestablish his pistol manufacturing business.)

We also know that John Marlin married Martha Susan Moore and they had four children: Mahlon Henry Marlin (July 23, 1864–September 14, 1949), Burton Louis Marlin (May 14, 1867–April 12, 1869), Jennette Bradford Marlin (March 18, 1871–September 4, 1883), and John Howard Marlin (September 21, 1876–February 5, 1959).

As a boss, John Marlin was stern and demanding, not accepting sloppy work or indifferent attitudes. Yet he was fair and treated his employees with consideration and understanding. Examples of his manufacturing skill and his employees’ expertise are demonstrated by every Marlin firearm his organization manufactured. The fit and finish of parts, as well as their function and operation, attest to the excellence of all managers and workers in Mr. Marlin’s factory. Even with today’s high degree of technology in the firearms industry, it is nearly impossible to equal the fit, finish, and cosmetic appeal of early Marlin rifles. We recognize, of course, that the attention to detail and the handwork done by low-paid but skilled workers was much different then than it is now.

DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE FIREARMS INDUSTRY

John M. Marlin and The Marlin Fire Arms Company played an important role in developing and expanding an industry that has made significant contributions in the development of machinery and fabrication methods, interchangeability of parts, and testing and gauging techniques.

When America was first colonized, firearms were needed for obtaining food as well as for protection. The gunmakers and gunsmiths of the time were individuals who either apprenticed with a craftsman to learn a new skill or came to America already having knowledge in this field. Few of these men were capable, or equipped, to make the lock, stock, and barrel of a firearm; most of them used imported locks and barrels until their small businesses developed and expanded.

By the mid-1700s, production of hunting arms was adequate. The various parts were frequently made in cottage shops and then finished and assembled at the gunsmith’s shop.

The eventual need for military arms resulted in the establishment of government installations, rather than the gunsmith/gunshop fabrication of firearms made on a custom basis. Such places as Springfield Armory, Springfield, Mass., developed machines and methods of fabrication that were used for years.

Although the government was in the firearms business, other sources had to be found to meet the ever-expanding requirements for more arms. Many experienced gunsmiths were brought into the expanding industry, and manufacturers of other commodities envisioned an opportunity to do well in this new market. Names such as Eli Whitney, Simeon North, Spencer, Stone, Leonard, R. and J. Johnson, Nathan Starr, and others are found on contracts for stands of arms needed to supplement the government’s manufacturing ability.

Eventually the manufacture of arms developed into an industry. In order to satisfy the need for increased production, many new methods of manufacture were developed. A good example is the Thomas Blanchard lathe for turning gunstocks. Developed in 1821, it revolutionized the manufacture of a gunstock that had previously been done mostly by hand.

The greatest changes occurred in the arms industry during the Civil War. Not only were demands made on the industry for large numbers of hand and shoulder arms, but dramatic changes in the types of ammunition used were taking place. Cap-and-ball muzzle-loaded ammunition was quickly being phased out by cartridges that could be loaded from the breech.

With the development of new cartridges, hundreds of mechanisms for handguns and rifles were invented. A number of them included a repeating capability: numerous cartridges were stored in the gun by many different systems. After all of these many different cartridge and firearm systems were tested, under many different conditions, a few were found to be reliable and worthy of further development. The eventual result was two accepted types of cartridges – the rimfire and the center-fire – both of which are standard today. Breech-loading firearms were further developed once the type of ammunition was settled on. All Marlin firearms were manufactured for use with breech-loading metallic ammunition.

EARLY MARLIN PRODUCTS

With the manufacture of small single-shot derringer-type pistols, John Marlin entered into the firearms industry. The four variations produced from about 1863 until the 1880s included caliber .22, .30, .32, and .41 models. Typical of the small pistol manufacturer of the day, John Marlin himself named his first models. The names chosen were OK, Never Miss, and Victor. Approximately 16,000 of these small guns were manufactured.

Recognizing the limited potential for his petite single-shot derringers, John Marlin expanded his business to include single-action revolvers. Six models were produced between 1870 and 1887 – the OK and Little Joker pocket revolvers, and the larger XX, XXX, No. 32, and 38 Standard revolvers. In 1887 John Marlin introduced his Model 1887 double-action (DA) revolver. The last of his DA production was in 1899. Some of the Marlin pistols and revolvers were ornately engraved, were gold-, silver-, or nickel-plated, and had pearl, ivory, rosewood, or hard rubber grips. Seldom found in excellent condition today, these Marlin handguns are truly collector’s items.

John Marlin’s inventive skill developed as his business expanded. Among his 25 patents, 10 were related to handguns, as follows:

The Ballard single-shot rifle was patented in 1861 by C.H. Ballard. This rifle was used during the Civil War by the state of Kentucky. It was manufactured by the Merrimack Arms Company, Newburyport, Mass., 1866–1869; by the Brown Manufacturing Company, Newburyport, Mass., 1869–1873; and then by John M. Marlin, 1875–ca. 1890. From available information, it appears that about 40,000 Ballards were manufactured by Marlin.

John Marlin obtained a patent for a reversible firing pin for the Ballard rifle. (It was number 159,592, dated February 9, 1875.)

John Marlin’s first center-fire repeating rifle was a short-barreled, underhammer, lever action, tubular-magazine rifle with characteristics similar to the Spencer rifle. This new rifle was patented by John Marlin on November 25, 1879 (number 222,064). My examination of the prototype quickly revealed shortcomings in the feeding system and the breech-locking system. As designed, only short-length cartridges could be used in the gun and the strength of the receiver was questionable. Only a prototype rifle was manufactured, and fortunately, John Marlin did not proceed with production of this rifle. Instead, he looked elsewhere for a better repeating rifle.

The repeating rifle that was finally manufactured was identified as the Model 1881. Based on the patents of H.F. Wheeler, Andrew Burgess, E.A.F. Toepperwein, and John Marlin, this rifle gave John Marlin the start he needed to become successful in the firearms industry.

Patents awarded to John Marlin for the experimental rifle and the Model 1881 were as follows:

JOHN MARLIN’S FIRST CALIBER .22 REPEATER

The first caliber .22 rifle that occupied the interest of J.M. Marlin was a lever action mechanism similar to the Winchester Model 1873 rifle. The experimental rifle had a tubular magazine and a vertical sliding carrier. The empties ejected out the top of the carrier opening in the receiver. The bolt, like the one in the Winchester 1873, was small in diameter and passed through the carrier in the process of chambering a cartridge. Having a fixed firing pin in its face, the bolt, when struck in the rear by the hammer, fired the rimfire cartridge.

Only part of what appears to be the prototype of this rifle remains today. The forearm, stock, carrier, hammer, trigger, and other small parts are missing. The workmanship is excellent and the polish and blue of the parts remaining are exceptionally fine.

There are five patents that apply to this first Marlin .22 rifle. To understand the development of the rifle, we cannot look at the patent dates and patent numbers sequentially. Instead, it is the date of the application for the patent that is important. Therefore, the patents are listed here in that order:

The magazine in this incomplete rifle is like the one in patent number 315,645: The carrier is missing, so the type of carrier used is unknown. The roll-stamp and patent dates marked on the barrel are the same as those on the Model 1881 rifle. For some unknown reason, the dates of the patents listed here are not marked on the gun.

Only one known example of this rifle exists. Like John Marlin’s first repeating center-fire rifle, it was probably not considered worthy of production; however, that is only conjecture. It might not have been produced because of its similarity to the Winchester rifle, and because of problems with the tubular magazine, which apparently would be expensive to produce and fraught with functional problems. Fortunately for John Marlin, Lewis Hepburn was in the wings with his successful lever action rifle that has survived almost 100 years.

Mahlon H. and John H. Marlin

Upon the death of their father, John M. Marlin, president of The Marlin Fire Arms Company, in July 1901, Mahlon Henry Marlin, who had been vice president and secretary, became president and treasurer and his brother, John Howard Marlin, became vice president and secretary of the company. Without much change in either the product line or the method of marketing established by their father, the brothers maintained a business as usual air of confidence in the company and the fine guns they manufactured.

MAHLON HENRY MARLIN

Mahlon Henry Marlin, born in 1864 in Windsor Locks, Conn., near Hartford, had the same major interest as his father, which was running the plant. Prior to becoming an officer of the corporation, he had been in sales.

In his role as plant manager, Mahlon Marlin was responsible for the daily production of guns in the plant, as well as the development of new manufacturing techniques. He also directed the engineering department in the design of new models and changes in the old models. He thrived on work and had little time for social and recreational activities. He did find time, however, to be active in the New Haven Gun Club, with membership dating before 1898.

Mahlon H. Marlin died, at age 86, in 1949. He was interred in the Marlin family plot in the Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, Conn.

JOHN HOWARD MARLIN

John Howard Marlin, born in 1876 in New Haven, was the salesman of the two brothers. He traveled far and wide, attending shooting events and calling on dealers. He had received his early education in Webster School and prepared for Yale at Williston Academy in Massachusetts. Upon graduation from Yale, he joined the Marlin Fire Arms business.

He was a director of The Interstate Association of Trapshooting along with such notables as W.F. Parker (Parker shotguns), T.H. Keller (Peters Cartridge Company), A.C. Barrel (U.M.C), S.G. Lewis (Winchester), J.T. Skelly (E.I. DuPont), and A.H. Durston (Lefever Arms Company).

John H. (also known as J. Howard) Marlin was also a member of a number of clubs, including the New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven Country Club, Quinnipiack Club, Pine Orchard Club, and Westchester Biltmore Country Club. For 30 years he was a member of the New York Yacht Club. John H. Marlin was also a member of Hiram Lodge, AF&AM, and Pyramid Temple of the Shrine, in Bridgeport, Conn. In 1903, when Connecticut first required automobiles to be licensed, J. Howard Marlin’s auto license for that year was number 424.

J. Howard Marlin died in 1959 at the age of 82 while visiting his son John B. Marlin in Glendora, Calif. At the time of his death he was president of the Driscoll Wire Company of Shelton, Conn. and of Perrigo, Inc. of New Haven, a wholesale plumbing firm.

In 1915, a syndicate that wanted to manufacture war items for England and Russia offered to purchase the company. Mahlon H. and John H. Marlin decided that to sell was the right move – the war in Europe would soon involve the U.S. and the manufacture and sales of sporting arms would be curtailed if the U.S. entered the war.

The New Haven city directories include the following data about John Marlin’s two sons:

1898Marlin, J. Howard with The Marlin Fire Arms, boards at 326 George St. Marlin, M. Harry, vice president and secretary, The Marlin Fire Arms Company; home, 382 Whitney Ave.

1899–1901Same

1902Marlin, J. Howard, vice president and secretary, The Marlin Fire Arms Company; home, 326 George St.

1903Same

1904Marlin, M. Harry, president and treasurer, The Marlin Fire Arms Company; home, 312 Temple St.

1905Same

1906Same

1907Home, 911 Townsend Ave.

1908Same

1909Same

1910Marlin, Mahlon H., president and treasurer, The Marlin Fire Arms Company; home, 911 Townsend Ave.

1911–1916Same

1917Marlin, J. Howard, Rem. to Pine Orchard; Marlin, Mahlon H.; home, 911 Townsend Avenue

1920Marlin, J. Howard, treasurer, Perrigo, Inc., R.R. c New; home, at Branford

1923Same

1926Marlin, J. Howard, president, Perrigo, Inc., home, 45 Fair

During one period of time, Mahlon H. and J. Howard Marlin were president and treasurer and vice president and secretary, respectively, of the C.G. Clark Company, New Haven, manufacturer of Coe’s Cough Balsam, Coe’s Dyspepsia Cure, and Hegeman’s Camphor Ice.

OTHER EARLY INVENTORS

Andrew Burgess

Andrew Burgess, born at Lake George, N.Y., on January 16, 1837, was an assistant to the famous Civil War photographer, Mathew B. Brady. During that war and in the early 1870s, Mr. Burgess bought out the Brady business. Although some of the famous pictures of Lincoln were taken by Andrew Burgess, his talent as a firearm inventor is of particular interest to the gun collector and Marlin historian.

The most complete biography of Andrew Burgess is found in Sam Maxwell’s excellent book, Lever Action Magazine Rifles–Derived from the Patents of Andrew Burgess, published by Sam Maxwell in 1976. This book is recommended reading for more complete information about this famous gun inventor who left his mark on Marlin, Colt, Winchester, Whitney, and his own Burgess gun company in Buffalo, N.Y.

Some of his patents that were used in the design of Marlin firearms are 134,589; 168,829; 168,966; 210,091; 210,181; 210,182; 210,294; 210,295; 213,869; 216,080; 250,825; and 250,880.

Although Andrew Burgess did not design or invent a specific model of Marlin rifle, fundamental features of some of his patents were incorporated into the design of the Model 1881 rifle. These included a side-loading, tubular-magazine, lever action rifle; a pivoted lever working on the bolt; a bolt locking on the end of the lever; the extractor; and raising the lever to prevent letting in two cartridges. Also, in conjunction with John Marlin, Andrew Burgess patented (250,825) the split carrier of the Model 1881.

As a result of Andrew Burgess’s contributions to the Model 1881 rifle, John Marlin built a successful lever action rifle business. One can only wonder what would have happened if his genius had been incorporated into John Marlin’s first successful repeating rifle when The Marlin Fire Arms Company had originally been organized.

A more in-depth discussion of the Model 1881 rifle, its variations, and its success is found in the rifle section of this book. When reviewing that section, the reader should keep in mind the name of Andrew Burgess. His contribution to the early success of the Marlin rifle will soon be recognized.

Andrew Burgess died on December 19,1908, and he was interred at his home in Oswego, N.Y.

Lewis Lobdell Hepburn

Lewis Lobdell Hepburn, born on March 2, 1832, in Colton, N.Y., first labored as an apprentice blacksmith. In 1855, he opened a gunsmith shop at his home in Colton.

Until the early 1870s, Mr. Hepburn made muzzle-loading rifles. In about 1871, he was hired by E. Remington & Sons in Ilion, N.Y., to supervise the manufacture of its sporting firearms.

In addition to his gunmaking skill, Lewis Hepburn was a champion long-range rifle marksman. This ability was recognized when he was selected to be a shooting member of the U.S. Elcho Shield Rifle Team. The Irish had challenged the U.S. shooters to a match to be fired at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. Other famous shooters on the U.S. team included G.W. Yale, T.S. Dakin, John Bodine, Henry Fulton, and H.A. Gildersleeve. In the match, held at Creedmore, Long Island, N.Y., in 1874, the U.S. team beat the Irish team by a score of 934 to 931.

Another demonstration of Lewis Hepburn’s skill with the rifle at long ranges took place when he retired the Remington Diamond Badge after three wins. This match was also fired at Creedmore and at ranges of 500, 800, and 1,000 yards. His scores were September 19, 1874–78/100, June 19, 1875–98/100, and August 28, 1875–98/100.

In appreciation for the support his friends and fellow shooters had extended to him, Lewis Hepburn donated the Hepburn Trophy. He established a course of fire of 15 shots at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards, with no sighting shots or previous practice on the day of the match. The contest was open to any breech-loading rifle and was to be held at the Creedmore range.

Among the many inventions of Lewis Hepburn is the famous Remington–Hepburn No. 3 single-shot, breech-loading target and sporting rifle (patent number 220,285, October 7, 1879). The patent was assigned to the Remington Company, which produced various models from 1880 to 1907.

After trying to save the great Remington Armory and firearms business through a long, depressed period, Remington went into receivership. Due to this unfortunate situation, however, The Marlin Fire Arms Company was able to obtain the services of Lewis Hepburn, one of the finest gun designers in the industry.

He can be credited with the success of Marlin lever action rifles and with making the name Marlin the leader that it is today in the lever action rifle field. Some of Lewis Hepburn’s patents are Models 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, and 1897. His other patents include takedown mechanisms, shotgun mechanisms, magazine tubes, lever action shotguns, pump action shotguns, shotgun safeties, sights, pump action .22 and center-fire rifles, semiautomatic rifles, and experimental lever action rifles.

In 1884, Lewis Hepburn patented (number 298,377, May 13, 1884) a lever action, center-fire rifle. He was residing in Ilion, N.Y., at that time. My guess is this patent eventually brought Lewis Hepburn and John Marlin together. Mr. Hepburn was available for such a collaboration because the Remington company had reduced its activities during its bankruptcy. John Marlin was committed to the lever action repeating rifle and Lewis Hepburn had a fairly good rifle design on hand, which was just what John Marlin needed. Both of them must have been astute enough to know that their relationship could be successful, and it was.

A pamphlet issued to honor Lewis Hepburn and his career was supposedly written by his nephew. Although the authorship is uncertain and the date of publication is unknown, the written words exist, and the tribute to a loyal Marlin employee follows:

Lewis Lobdell Hepburn

Born: Colton, N.Y. March 2, 1832

Died: New Haven, Conn. Aug. 31, 1914

After the failure of E. Remington & Sons gun factory, Ilion, N.Y., Mr. Hepburn in 1886 accepted a situation with The Marlin Firearms Company, as inventor and mechanical expert, which position he held to the satisfaction of all concerned, as evidenced by the fact that the company is running successfully and almost entirely on guns of his inventing and designing.

Generous to a fault, open-handed in charity, he must have made the world better for his having Jived in it. He was not of a social turn, was hard to get acquainted with, never pushed himself or his ideas to the front, never went back on a friend, was modest and retiring except when aroused by some unworthy action or ignoble conduct, when his withering scorn was manifested in terms which, by some, might be called severe. No breath of scandal was ever uttered in connection with his name, and fraud and trickery never marred his most honorable career. He was a member of Ilion Lodge No. 591, F.&A.M., Iroquois Chapter, R.A.M., and Utica Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar. His word was his bond and his place is hard to fill.

Mr. Hepburn was thoroughly conversant with all the patents, designs, ideas and details of his profession, and was classed with John Browning as being one of the very best gun designers and inventors the world has ever known.

Considering the fact that nearly all other gun factories of note have made or are making guns under the patents of Mr. Browning and other outside inventors, it reflects especial credit on Mr. Hepburn that, during his many years of service, the Marlin Company never found it necessary to go outside their own factory for the ideas which have kept them in the very front rank of gun makers.

His work was his hobby, and he was never so happy as when working out the details of a new gun or an improvement in existing models.

Always at work, rain or shine (except when he left on the annual hunting trip which he enjoyed so much), it was his devotion to duty which indirectly led to his death. On the morning of January 6, 1910, following a cold, sleety rain, Mr. Hepburn ventured to walk the several blocks from his home to the Marlin factory, and when near his destination, slipped on the icy sidewalk and suffered a fracture of his hip.

Notwithstanding the best of medical treatment, the bones refused to knit, and in consequence he was confined to his bed until he passed away August 31, 1914. Through this four-and-a-half years of suffering he maintained the same cheerful, uncomplaining spirit, which characterized his entire life.

Anonymous.

The following patents were awarded to Lewis Hepburn during his 30-year career with Marlin:

Most of Lewis Hepburn’s patents are included in the separate sections of this book that cover each of his models. Those listed above are patents that were awarded, but never put into production.

Melvin Hepburn, a son of Lewis, also obtained patents that were assigned to The Marlin Fire Arms Company. His patents were as follows:

IDEAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Establishment of the Company

On May 16, 1910, The Marlin Fire Arms Company took over the operation of the Ideal Manufacturing Company, New Haven, Conn. The company was formerly owned and managed by John H. Barlow. Born in England on April 26, 1846, Mr. Barlow came to this country at the age of two. He served in the American Civil War and was honorably discharged as a first sergeant while with the Army in Arizona among the Indians. He worked at the Parker shotgun factory in Meriden, Conn., during the early 1870s and at the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven as a contractor for twelve years. In 1884, John Barlow established the Ideal Manufacturing Company in New Haven, which designed and manufactured cartridge-reloading implements. His business was known throughout the world and his tools were in large demand among sportsmen.

John Barlow retired from the business world in order to travel. While visiting his daughter in Venice, Italy, he died of a heart attack on March 15, 1912.

Ideal from Marlin to Lyman

Until this time, The Marlin Fire Arms Company, under the guidance of Mahlon H. and J. Howard Marlin, continued the business with little or no change. Most of the reloading tools and other devices in the Ideal line were invented by John Barlow and had been used by sportsmen for years. The Marlin company found few reasons to make changes or to add to the line.

Although most of the tools were marked with the Ideal name, those that were manufactured after Marlin’s purchase were stamped with the Marlin name. The printed matter furnished with tools, and the labels on boxes, were also changed to reflect the Marlin name.

The Ideal Hand Book, which contained useful information for shooters, was the bible for handloaders, who made up their own ammunition for shotgun, rifle, or pistol. During the Marlin ownership, the manual continued in publication. Those books that relate to Marlin were numbers 20 through 26.

The Marlin Arms Corporation, which was formed in 1916, sold the Ideal business to Phineas M. Talcott of 103 Meadow St., New Haven. Mr. Talcott, like the Marlin brothers, operated the business without change, except for a thorough reorganization under his new management to improve quality and to make the business more profitable. In October 1925, he sold the Ideal Manufacturing Company to the Lyman Gun Sight Corporation. To this day the Ideal name is still in use by Lyman.

New Haven city directories furnish the following information under the name Ideal Manufacturing Company.

1885Ideal Manufacturing Company, manufactures cartridge-reloading implements, 187 St. John St. Barlow, John H., manager, Ideal Manufacturing Company, 187 St. John St.; home, 89 Bristol Street.

1886–1889Same as above

1915Marlin Fire Arms Company

1916Marlin Arms Corporation

1917–1918Ideal Manufacturing Company, Phineas M. Talcott, proprietor, 103 Meadow St.

1919–24 Same as 1917–1918 with added home, 1609 Chapel St.

1925No Ideal nor Phineas Talcott listed

Only a few of the many Marlin Ideal items are illustrated here. A good collection of Marlin-marked Ideal tools can still be found. They make a fine display in themselves, or as added color to an arms display.

Marlin Arms Corporation/The Marlin–Rockwell Corporation

FORMING THE MARLIN ARMS CORPORATION

As early as April 8, 1915, The Marlin Firearms Company was asked to bid on the manufacture of 100,000 7-mm Mauser rifles by the J.P. Morgan export department. In making Marlin’s response to this request Mahlon H. Marlin said, It is too large for our present equipment to be handled in a reasonable time, and we would not care to go into the work in the way of putting up new buildings and furnishing extra equipment and expanding our organization to an extent large enough to handle the quantities in time that would be satisfactory. ... The reply also went on to say that Marlin had an organization that was trained and experienced in making high-powered rifles and that its reputation was equal to the best in its class of work.

J.P. Morgan & Company was the sole purchaser of armament and war materials for England. Already involved in the war in Europe, England needed additional sources for arms until its home production could be increased to meet its needs. J.P. Morgan & Company tried in different ways to find sources for the necessary arms. When U.S. companies indicated a lack of interest, however, Morgan & Company encouraged investment companies to form syndicates in order to help meet those needs of the Crown and other European countries.

One such syndicate was formed by William P. Bonbright & Company, Incorporated and Kissell-Kinnicutte & Company, companies that were closely allied with J.P. Morgan & Company. This syndication resulted in the acquisition of The Marlin Fire Arms Company and the formation of the Marlin Arms Corporation on December 8, 1915.

This was an interesting change in direction and product line for a company that had been totally involved for 45 years in manufacturing sporting firearms. The switch to making tools of war is best shown in the early correspondence between the founders of the new syndicate.

April 8, 1915

MARLIN GUN CO.,

Meriden, Conn.

GENTLEMEN: Do you care to make us a bid on 100,000 Mauser rifles to take 7 m/m cartridges? If so, would you give us an idea of about what deliveries you could make. We understand specifications were mailed to us from England on April first and we can take up the matter of price with you after they are received.

We have a Mauser gun here in the office that you can examine if you so desire.

Awaiting your favors on this subject, we remain,

Very truly yours,

EXPORT DEPT.,

By ________________________

WLC:Td

THE MARLIN FIREARMS COMPANY

New Haven, Conn., April 23, 1915

Messrs. J.P. MORGAN & CO.,

Export Dept., New York City

GENTLEMEN: We have your letter of April 17th, by Mr. Clark, and wish to apologize for not having replied to it sooner. We have been thinking the matter over and the writer has consulted with his associates, but it seems to us best not to undertake the work – it is too large for our present equipment to be handled in a reasonable time, and we would not care to go into the work in the way of putting up new buildings and furnishing extra equipment and expanding our organization to an extent large enough to handle the quantities in time that would be satisfactory to you.

We thank you for your expressed good opinion of the character of our work and we, ourselves, believe that we could make work that would be satisfactory and pass any fair inspection, as we have an organization trained and experienced in doing work on repeating arms for high-power smokeless ammunition, and our reputation is, we believe, equal to the best of this class of work.

Again thanking you for your offer and regretting that we are unable to do anything about it at this time, we beg to remain,

Yours respectfully,

THE MARLIN FIREARMS CO.,

(Sgd.) M.H. MARLIN

MLP

WILLIAM P. BONBRIGHT, INCORPORATED,

14 Wall Street, New York,

November 12, 1915.

Colt machine guns.

E.R. Stettinius, Esq.

Export Department, Messrs. J.P. Morgan & Co.,

23 Wall Street, New York City.

DEAR SIR: I have entered into a contract for the purchase of the entire capital stock of the Marlin Fire Arms Co. of New Haven, Conn., and

I have made an arrangement for a new company which will purchase the Marlin plant to manufacture the Colt machine gun, enjoying the fullest cooperation of the Colt Company as to drawings, processes, and the personal attention of such of their heads of department, including that of Mr. Browning, as may be required, and

I have entered into a contract with A.F. Rockwell, of Bristol, Conn., under which he is now getting his organization together for the manufacture of the Colt machine gun in the Marlin plant, he agreeing to head the organization and personally direct the production.

The new company will be prepared to offer Colt machine guns for delivery during the fifth month (say April) after taking charge of the plant, at the rate of 35 to 50 guns per day and running into a gradual increase of this production.

I am discussing the financing of this operation with Messrs. William P. Bonbright & Co., who wish to verify my promises of production, and as I desire to expedite so far as possible assurances to both you and them that the above quantities and deliveries may be had, I urge that you delegate a representative to whom I may prove the likelihood of realizing them.

Yours very truly,

(Signed) EDGAR PARK

WILLIAM P. BONBRIGHT & CO., INCORPORATED,

14 Wall Street, New York,

November 30, 1915

Messrs. J.P. MORGAN & CO.

23 Wall Street, New York City.

DEAR SIRS: The Marlin Arms Corporation, now being or about to be incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, will have an authorized capital of $3,500,000 7% cumulative preferred stock and 60,000 shares of non par value common stock. Subject to the Marlin Fire Arms Company receiving a contract through you for not less than 12,000 Colt machine guns, we have agreed to purchase the above preferred stock together with a certain amount of common stock at a price which will place the Marlin Fire Arms Corporation in funds to buy the present Marlin Fire Arms Company free and clear of all debt, and in addition to leave in the treasury of the company approximately $1,300,000 in cash.

The Marlin Arms Corporation will have assigned to it an exclusive working agreement with the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company and will enjoy the co-operation of the latter in the manufacture of the Colt automatic machine gun.

Mr. A.F. Rockwell will accept the presidency of the Marlin Arms Corporation and, with an organization of his selection, personally supervise the production of the guns.

Among the provisions of the preferred stock is one by which the company agrees to retire at par one-third of the issue on December 1, 1916, one-third on March 1, 1917, and one-third on June 1, 1917. Both the common and the preferred stock will be placed in a voting trust of which a majority shall be of our selection. There is a further provision by which no dividends can be paid upon the common stock until the entire issue of preferred stock has been retired.

It is further agreed that the preferred stock – except with the consent of J.P. Morgan & Co. – will not be retired prior to the dates specified unless the above referred to contract for 12,000 guns has been completed.

Yours very truly,

WILLIAM P. BONBRIGHT & CO.

By A. H. Lockin, Vice-Pres.

KISSELL–KINNICUTTE & CO.

GHK/JH/1

WILLIAM P. BONBRIGHT & CO.,

INCORPORATED,

14 Wall Street, New York,

December 10, 1915

Messrs. J.P. MORGAN & COMPANY,

Agent for His Britannic Majesty’s Government,

23 Wall Street, New York City.

DEAR SIRS: In connection with the contract for 12,000 Colt automatic machine guns which, at our request, you are about to execute with the Marlin Arms Corporation, a New York State corporation, we respectfully advise you as follows:

1. The Marlin Arms Corporation was organized on December 9th, under the laws of the State of New York, with a capital stock of $3,500,000 par value of preferred stock and 60,000 shares of common stock having no par value. The incorporation is complete and the company is prepared for active business.

2. The Marlin Arms Corporation is purchasing today, and will demonstrate to you before asking you to deliver the contract for 12,000 Colt automatic machine guns that it has purchased and has in its possession free of all incumbrances all of the stock of the Marlin Fire Arms Company of Connecticut. This latter corporation owns, free and clear, the plant at New Haven, Connecticut, known as the Marlin plant. We have caused the title of this property to be examined, and we are advised that there are no mortgages, liens, or other incumbrances against either the real estate or machinery or equipment and that the business of the Marlin Fire Arms Company is taken over absolutely free of debt, except for petty items not exceeding $5,000 in amount.

3. Furthermore, we advise you that the Marlin Arms Corporation has made an agreement with the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Company of Connecticut, whereby the Colt’s Company gives to the Marlin Company full right and authority to manufacture the Colt automatic machine gun, and agrees also to furnish drawings, advice, and such assistance as it may be able to, to the Marlin Company. This contract, duly executed by the two corporations, will be exhibited to you at the time that you deliver the contract for 12,000 Colt automatic guns.

4. The property of the Marlin Arms Corporation, besides the foregoing property, will include approximately the sum of $1,300,000 in cash. This money at the present writing has not been paid into the treasury of the new company, but the undersigned, as syndicate managers, have formed a syndicate which has been fully subscribed, and in fact over subscribed, which syndicate is bound and obligated to take over, not later than the 17th day of December 1915, a portion of the stock of the Marlin Arms Corporation upon such terms that there will then remain in the treasury of that corporation as free working capital approximately the sum of $1,200,000. This syndicate is composed of a number of bankers and banking firms of the highest financial responsibility, and we are advised by our counsel, who have drawn the syndicate agreement, which they have executed that the obligations under it are fixed and determined and legally binding. Consequently, we can assure you that the company will receive not later than the 17th day of December, 1915 the said amount of approximately $1,300,000 of which $1,200,000 will be free working capital.

Very truly yours,

WILLIAM P. BONBRIGHT & CO.,

INCORPORATED,

By A.H. LOCKLIN, Vice-President.

KISSELL–KINNICUTTE & CO.

AHL-G-1

MARLIN ARMS CORPORATION PLAN AND SYNDICATE AGREEMENT, 1915

I

William P. Bonbright & Company, Incorporated, and Kissell-Kinnicutte & Company, hereafter called the managers, contemplate forming a new corporation under the name of Marlin Arms Corporation, or some similar title (herein referred to as the new company), which will have substantially the following capitalization:

(1) Preferred stock thirty five thousand shares of the par value of one hundred dollars each;

(2) Common stock sixty thousand shares having no par value.

The preferred stock will be preferred as to both earnings and assets, will bear dividends of, and limited to, seven per cent per annum cumulative from December 1, 1915, and no dividends shall be payable upon the common stock until all the preferred stock has been retired at one hundred (100) and accrued dividends. The preferred stock shall all be retired at one hundred (100) and accrued dividends in substantially equal installments on December 1, 1916, March 1, 1917, and June 1, 1917.

All the stock will be placed in a voting trust, approved by the managers, to extend for a period of two years or until the preferred stock has been retired and all bank loans paid.

II

The new company expects to acquire, either directly or through ownership of all the stock of the Marlin Fire Arms Company of Connecticut (herein called the old company), the following property and contracts as its principal assets:

(a) The present plant of the old company, located at New Haven, Connecticut, together with the machinery and equipment and other tangible assets of such company taken over as a going concern. The vendors with whom the managers are dealing will covenant that this property is free and clear of all mortgages, liens, debts, and obligations, and will include all of the assets of the present company, including the good will, excepting cash and securities on hand and the present company’s receivables. A certain amount of cash will be available for the purposes of the new company.

(b) Orders on behalf of the British Government for twelve thousand (12,000) machine guns of the type known as the Colt automatic machine gun, at a minimum price of six hundred and fifty dollars ($650) per gun.

(c) A license or working agreement to be approved by the managers from the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company under which such company will give the new corporation permission to manufacture such guns.

(d) A contract of employment with Mr. A. F. Rockwell of Bristol, Connecticut, whereby Mr. Rockwell will agree to devote his entire time and energy to the work of the new company for a period running from the incorporation of the new company to January 1st, 1917.

III

William P. Bonbright & Company, Incorporated, and Kissell-Kinnicutte & Company (acting individually and not as managers) are willing to sell to the syndicate to be formed under the attached agreement voting trust certificates representing thirty-five thousand shares of the preferred stock of the new company and seventeen thousand five hundred shares of the common stock of the new company for the total price of two million nine hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in cash, and the syndicate is formed to make such purchase.

A corporation has been or is about to be formed known as the Marlin Arms Company (or some other appropriate name) with a capitalization of $3,500,000 7% preferred stock, divided into series, A, B, C of equal amounts, and 60,000 shares of common stock of no par value. Among the provisions of the preferred stock is one that the three series shall be retired at par and accrued dividends as follows:

Series A. December 1, 1916.

B. March 1, 1917.

C. June 1, l917.

There is a further provision that no dividends may be paid on the common stock until all the preferred is retired.

This corporation is to purchase for cash all the physical assets, buildings, plant, machinery, tools, inventory, etc. (excluding all bills and accounts payable or receivable), of the Marlin Fire Arms Co. of New Haven, Conn.

It is also to acquire an exclusive right from the Colt Fire Arms Co. of Hartford, Conn. to manufacture under a royalty of $100 per gun, the Colt machine gun. As a part of the agreement, the Colt Co. is to furnish to the Marlin Arms Co. all working drawings, patterns, analysis of raw material, etc., and such aid as may be necessary in the way of expert advice, including the services of Mr. Browning, the inventor of the gun.

The plant is under the management of Mr. Rockwell, now president of the Bristol Brass Co., who serves with a nominal salary, receiving as compensation part of the saving in cost of manufacture of the Colt gun below the figure of $300 per gun.

The company is to have assigned to it an order from the British Government placed through the export department of J.P. Morgan & Co. for a minimum of 12,000 Colt machine guns for delivery and at prices as follows:

Any deliveries made in March are at a price of $850, and in February of $950.

The contract is to have no cancellation clause nor any penalty clause. The only right of the British Government is the option to refuse to take delayed delivery on any guns not delivered of the amount specified for each month.

Payment is to be accrued by deposit of the British Government of 25% of the gross value of the contract with the right on the part of the Marlin Company to draw against the same after February 1st next for cost of labor and materials, such drawings to be secured by surety bonds.

Payment is to be made on delivery at the export point, 25% of each payment being drawn from the deposit and 75% in additional cash.

The order includes extra barrels at $25 each, and cartridge boxes at $4.00 each.

Before granting the license the Colt Company has satisfied itself as to the fitness of the Marlin plant and equipment to turn out the Colt machine gun, and also as to the qualifications of Mr. Rockwell to manage the operations.

Before placing the contract the same investigations were made by the export department of J.P. Morgan & Co.

It is estimated that there will be little capital outlay necessary to thoroughly equip and adjust the Marlin plant to the manufacture of Colt machine guns, the present machinery being for the most part suitable and adequate.

The ability of the plant under the above management to produce the required product at a cost not to exceed $300 per gun has been favorably passed upon by different independent authorities.

The money provided by the sale of the securities of the company over and above the required for the purchase of the Marlin plant is estimated, after careful calculation, will be ample for working capital to fill the above order, in addition to which there will be right to draw on the cash deposit of the British Government for material and labor.

The question of raw material has been carefully investigated and the Colt Fire Arms Co. advise that this can be procured from their own sources of supply.

Eliminating all profits from accessories (extra barrels, ammunition boxes, etc.) all premium for advanced delivery, all savings in costs below $300 and all profits from any possible additional orders, the cash profit on the specific 12,000 guns delivered in the amounts and at the terms and prices specified would be approximately $3,500,000, equal to the face value of the entire preferred stock issue.

The common stock would then have as assets the entire plant and original working capital.

As a concern operating in normal times, the Marlin Fire Arms Co. has had a successful record covering a period of many years.

Mr. A. V. LOCKETT,

c/o Wm. P. Bonbright & Co., Inc.

14 Wall St., N.Y.

DEAR MR. LOCKETT: Referring to my correspondence with Mr. Davison in regard to the Colt machine gun proposition, quote as follows for your information:

If Mr. Stettinius is willing to close the contract with the gun company to be organized, with the understanding that the Bankers Trust Company would advance up to say $1,000,000 of the 25% deposit, provided that the company’s own money which had already been spent showed such satisfactory results that the Trust Company would be warranted in making the loan, it would seem to me that we would be justified, provided all the facts given as above prove to be correct, in agreeing to such an arrangement. Under no circumstances, however, do I believe that we should make any agreement that would necessitate putting out good money for the purpose of saving bad, provided the investment of the company’s own money should prove that their ability to fulfill the contract was doubtful.

Very truly yours,

____________________________ , Vice-President.

FIK/MKS

A NEW NAME AND NEW PRODUCTS

During 1916, the new syndicate called the Marlin Arms Corporation was expanding its holdings and becoming more deeply entrenched in war work. When it appeared the U.S. would soon be involved in the war, A.F. Rockwell, president, introduced a reorganization that included a name change from Marlin Arms Corporation to Marlin-Rockwell Corporation. Both names will be found on military arms produced by these companies. But no sporting arms have been observed with the Marlin Arms Corporation name on them, although a Marlin handtrap (clay bird thrower) has been noted that had Marlin Arms Corporation clearly marked into the metal. Also, a net retail price list with prices of sporting arms, effective May 10, 1916, was printed under the Marlin Arms Corporation name and address. This was identical, except for price increases, to The Marlin Fire Arms Company’s Nov. 1, 1915 price list.

The officers of the new Marlin–Rockwell Corporation until November 4, 1920 were A.F. Rockwell, president; Edgar Park, vice president; Louis E. Stoddard, vice president; Thomas W. Farnum, treasurer; Errol Kerr, secretary. In July 1919, John F. Moran became sales manager. He was formerly general manager of the Mayo Radiator Company.

Albert F. Rockwell

Albert F. Rockwell, although without a formal education beyond age 13, was an established and successful manufacturer and entrepreneur when he joined the Marlin Arms Corporation as its president.

Mr. Rockwell was born April 8, 1862, in Woodhull, N.Y. He spent his youth in Morris, Ill. His first job was in the Chicago dry goods store of Field, Leiter and Company. Later he went to Florida, where he managed a country store and a fruit business, and for four more years ran a hardware store. When he left Florida, he went to Bay City, Mich., and then on to Bristol, Conn. There he established, with his brother Edward D. Rockwell, the New Departure Bell Company, which manufactured bicycle bells, push and rotary doorbells, and fire bells. The brothers Rockwell eventually reached a production of about 15,000 bells a day. In 1893, Edward Rockwell formed the Bristol Spring Company as a separate company. Together, they also manufactured bicycle lamps that burned oil or acetylene gas. Another successful product of A.F. Rockwell was the New Departure Automatic Coaster Hub, which was a bicycle coaster brake. In addition to the hub, A.F. Rockwell invented and manufactured double-row ball bearings that launched his New Departure Company into one of the largest bearing manufacturers in the world.

Now that A.F. Rockwell was well established in the automobile business by selling ball bearings, he plunged into making automobiles. In 1907 he formed the Bristol Engineering Company and designed the first cast en block motors in the U.S. The new engine, along with New Departure bearings, was used in a series of automobiles