Meriden - Aubrey

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Serial Numbers

Serial numbers last updated 03/13/2009
Serial # Brand Barrel composition Markings on rib Gauge
1,000 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless ejectors hvy engrv Pat Applied 12
1,076 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless 2 barrels 28” engrv Pat Applied 12 16
1,099 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus 30” Pat Applied 12
1,101 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus 32”
12
1,873 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel
12
1,906 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless special hvy engrv Pat Applied 12
2,172 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus Pat Applied 12
2,329 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist Pat Applied 12
2,412 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless

12
2,832 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist Pat Applied 12
3,144 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Twist 30” HMF Pat Applied 12
3,457 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus
12
3,465 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Damascus 32” M97 Pat Applied 12
3,495 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus
12
3,821 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless 32”
12
4,640 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Steel 32” Pat Applied 12
5,163 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 32” Pat Applied 12
5,385 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus Pat Applied 12
5,512 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless
Pat Applied 12
6,106 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Damascus Pat Applied 12
8,858 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Twist 32 M84
12
10,802 Berkshire sideplates only engraved - - -
10,361 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Steel cut 20” 1907 Patent 12
114XX A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus 32” 1907 Patent 12
11,447 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Damascus Pat Applied 12
11,650 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless

12
11,723 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist
12
11,901 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Twist 1907 Patent 12
12,382 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel
12
12,412 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist
12
12,421 A. J. Aubrey Hammer Gun Steel 1907 Patent 12
12,837 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
129XX A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 30” Pat Applied 12
13,895 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist
12
15,208 New Aubrey Hammer Gun Twist 1907 Patent 12
15,219 New Aubrey Hammer Gun Steel(?) 32” M85 1907 Patent 12
15,441 New Aubrey Hammer Gun

12
15,937 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist Pat Applied 12
17,469 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless

12
18,182 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 32” Pat Applied 12
18,335 Berkshire Hammerless Twist
12
19,872 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Damascus 32” 1907 Patent 12
20,063 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Damascus 1907 Patent 12
20,481 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 26” 1907 Patent 12
20,815 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Damascus 1907 Patent 12
20,841 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless 32” 1907 Patent 12
21,085 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 32” 1907 Patent 12
21,365 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Twist restocked 1907 Patent 12
21,369 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Twist 1907 Patent 12
21,401 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless

12
22,209 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
23,113 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
23,724 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus star 1907 Patent 12
24,068 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Twist 1907 Patent 12
24,962 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Twist 30” 1907 Patent 12
26,226 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun
1907 Patent 12
26,541 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 30” M52 1907 Patent 12
26,941 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
27,062 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel M53 1907 Patent 12
27,279 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
27,834 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Steel 1907 Patent 12
28,167 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Steel 1907 Patent 12
28,184 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Damascus 1907 Patent 12
28,213 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Damascus 1907 Patent 12
28,559 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
28,857 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
29,788 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Damascus 1907 Patent 12
29,874 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammer Gun Twist cut 21” 1907 Patent 12
30,330 A. J. Aubrey Twist 1907 Patent 12
31,908 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 30” 1907 Patent 12
32,251 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel
12
32,312 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Armory Steel
12
33XXX A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Armory Steel 1907 Patent 12
33,004 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus 30” stock! 1907 Patent 12
33,396 A. J. Aubrey Steel 1907 Patent 12
33,902 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel
12
34,035 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
34,707 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel 32” 1907 Patent 12
34,956 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
35,463 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
35,570 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
36,543 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
37,909 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
37,964 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless

12
38,419 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Steel
12
38,803 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Krupp 24” 1907 Patent 16
38,816 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless Damascus 28” M58 1907 Patent 12
39,425 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
40,065 New Aubrey
1907 Patent 12
41,910 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
43,142 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 32” M30
12
43,353 New Aubrey Hammerless

12
43,731 New Aubrey Hammerless Twist
12
45,808 New Aubrey Hammerless Steel 28” 1907 Patent 12
46,204 Berkshire Hammerless Steel 30” 1907 Patent 12
46,896 New Aubrey Steel 1907 Patent 12
48,517 New Aubrey Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
48,859 New Aubrey Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
49,407 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 28” M52 1907 Patent 12
49,891 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 28” M52 1907 Patent 12
50,218 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
50,418 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 30” M20 1907 Patent 12
50,802 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus M58 30” 1907 Patent 12
51,382 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
51,451 A. J. Aubrey Hammerless

12
51,463 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 30” M58 eject 1907 Patent 12
52,065 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
52,246 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus HRF 1907 Patent 12
52,731 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 16
53,576 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
53,579 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
54,124 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 32” M53 1907 Patent 12
55,032 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp M35 eject 1907 Patent 12
55,063 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 1907 Patent 12
55,302 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 1907 Patent 12
59,437 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 32” 1907 Patent 12
60,104 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 30” #60108 1907 Patent 12
60,108 Barrels are on 60,104 12
60,573 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 30” M55 1907 Patent 12
60,7Xx Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless 32” 1907 Patent 12
60,853 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
60,992 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
62,021 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 30” 1907 Patent 12
62,308 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 30” M52 1907 Patent 16
62,581 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus Chain 1907 Patent 12
63,381 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
63,754 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 28” M55 beav 1907 Patent 12
64,744 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 32” M35 eject 1907 Patent 12
65,6Xx Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 1907 Patent 12
65,783 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless 30” 1907 Patent 12
66,175 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless 28” 1907 Patent 12
66,192 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
66,587 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
67,022 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
67,815 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
67,374 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
68,456 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless 30” 1907 Patent 12
69,263 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 30” M55 1907 Patent 12
69,374 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 30” M52 1907 Patent 16
69,453 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 30” 1907 Patent 12
70,173 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 16
70,888 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
71,720 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
72,442 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 30” 1907 Patent 12
72,800 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 1907 Patent 12
73,564 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless S32” cut-24” M18 1907 Patent 12
74,571 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
75,395 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 12
76,287 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 28” M53 1907 Patent 12
77,039 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Twist 30” 1907 Patent 12
77,717 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless
1907 Patent 12
78,420 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 1907 Patent 16
78,425 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 1907 Patent 16
78,523 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Steel 28” FA 78529 1907 Patent 20
79,052 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Krupp 32” M55 1907 Patent 12
79,076 Meriden Fire Arms Co. Hammerless Damascus 1907 Patent 12
111,510 New Aubrey Hammer Gun Steel 1907 Patent 12
307,653 New Aubrey Hammer Gun Damascus 1907 Patent 12
327,352 New Aubrey Hammer Gun Twist 1907 Patent 12

Notes

Albert J Aubrey
July 9, 1907 found on the ribs relates to A.J. Aubrey Patent No. 859477

Charles Carder had a two-page article on Meriden/Aubrey in The Double Gun Journal, Volume One, Issue 4, pages 42 and 43.

Russ Article was in DGJ vol. 6 issue 3 1995.

DGJ Vol. 16, Issue 2, 2005 article by James Tyson

The start of the Meriden Firearms Co. in 1905 was the result of the ability of the merchandising scheme of Sears. They operated out of warehouses, with no retail overhead like other previous businesses. They sold guns for many name concerns, including ammunition.

AJ Aubrey was born Feb 23, 1863 to John Aubrey and Mary McKenna.

John Aubrey was born Jan 1, 1826 in Birmingham, Warwickshire.
Mary McKenna was born May 13, 1828 Talywain, Monmouth.

In 1856 John made the crossing alone from Liverpool to New York on the ship Atlantic. He brought over his wife and 2 children the next year.

Altogether John and Mary had 4 children.
Elizabeth Jane Aubrey b 1852, d 1931
Alfred J. Aubrey b 1854, d 1933
William Henry Aubrey b 1857, d 1922
Albert J. Aubrey b 1863, d 1947
Clara May Aubrey b 1868, d 1939

In 1880, John was working as a Silversmith in Meriden. This was most likely at the Britannica Silver works. Also in this year, Alfred is listed as a clergyman, while Albert is working in a factory.

Interesting side note. Also in 1880, another John Aubrey, born in France, was working as a wood chopper in Santa Clara, CA - more later.

Eventually, Clara married Arthur Proudman. By 1900 she had her father living with her growing family in Meriden, CT.

1890 Meriden City Directory, William was an engraver

First half of the 1890s Albert was the plant superintendent at Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. in Wilkes-Barre, PA. After that operation folded, Albert was listed in the Wilkes-Barre City Directory as "removed to Elmira, New York."

Albert married Blanche in Fulton, NY.

In 1895 Albert J had a daughter, Clara, who was born in Penn.

In 1896 Albert's mother Mary died in Meriden on Nov 20th.

In 1906 Albert is the VP for Sears.

In 1907 his father, John, died on Nov 14th.

In 1908 Albert is President.

By 1910 he is no longer working in Meriden.


In 1910, Albert is in Santa Clara, CA employed in Sporting Goods.

In 1920, he is shown as gunsmith. He is living with his wife Blanche Boomer Aubrey and their daughter Clara. Blanche had been born in Oswego, NY on Oct 22, 1871.

In 1942 Blanche died on Dec 26th in Santa Clara, Ca.

Albert died on Feb 3, 1947. He had out lived all his siblings.

This is the grave stone for John and Mary Aubrey. Most of Albert's relatives are buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden, CT.

MD- I've found the following trade names: "A.J. Aubrey”, “The New Aubrey”, “Utica Special”, “Gibraltar”, “Challenge”, “Gladiator”, “Berkshire”, “Colton Firearms Co.”, and “Meriden.” This does not include the revolvers (some under “Howard Arms Co.”) and rifles


WILLIAM GOUGH – ENGRAVER
William Gough, age 25, shows up in the 1900 census, married with 4 children.

The 1904 Meriden City directory shows John and William Gough as a contractors for Parker Bros. It has a strange reference "See Goffe" which refers to one Lucius Goffe. This makes no sense to me because in 1900 he was 63 years old and listed as a Grocer Merchant

In the 1910 Census records.
John Gough, age 36, immigrated 1886 from England, not a US citizen. George Masters, age 24, immigrated 1909 from England.
Both were boarders at 85 Colony St, Meriden.

In 1910 John Gough did not have his wife Agnes with him. She was residing with him in 1900, 1920 and 1930. In 1900 besides his wife, there was his brother Harold, then 9 years old. Harold later married and raised 2 children while working as a machinist in

John Gough remained an engraver working in Meriden. He never owned a home nor had any children. George Masters may have returned to England, as I can not find any further trace of him.

Wm. Gough's middle initial was 'H' for his fathers first name 'Harry' or Harold. Harry was a Birmingham Gun trade engraver that came to the US and did work for Parker Gun Co. I have seen 2 Parkers signed by him (H. Gough)at the trigger guard

Some additional info on William H. Gough re: Aubrey Gun engraving

From 'Colt Engraving' by RL Wilson page 425
In an article published in a Utica NY newspaper 8/29/1954,,states in part that Wm Gough took commissions in special engraving jobs from many parts of the country. There he worked on engravings for Aubrey Guns, then manufactured by Sears Roebuck Co.;

The article is referring to a time when Gough was set up in Philadelphia as engraver for AH Fox. The Colt book lists his engraving time for Colt as approx 1910-1940. It also quotes a fellow engraver that worked for Gough that he did some work for Remington.

1900 in Meriden:
William, 25
Carrie, 25
Irving J, 3
Leaphy C, 1
Charles H, 2 months
Dorris M, 11 step-sister

1920 in Philadelphia:
William H, 46
Carrie, 46
(Irving crossed out and over it written) Alfred, age 17

So, A. Gough is Alfred Gough, the son of William. In 1920 at the age of 17, he is living with his parents, William and Carrie on 16th Street in Philadelphia, and lists his occupation the same as dad, gun worker.


The Fyrberg connection.
From the 1900 U.S. Census:
Mass, Worcester, ward 7, enumeration district 1773, sheet 13

3 Tufts St
Andrew Fyrberg, born Feb 1863, age 43, 1877 immigrated from Sweden, Fire Arm Manufacturer
Annett, wife, age 43
Anton, son, age 22, toolmaker
Herman, daughter, age 20, Fitter - arms co
Anna, daughter, age 18, office girl
Lillian, daughter, age 10, at school

42 Mason St
White, Fred, born Jan 1867, born in Vermont, Stocker Arms Co

44 Mason St
Edmonds, Geo, born June 1867, born in Mass, Laborer Arms Co

Within a few blocks I found other employees, some from Sweden. One from England the blacksmith, another from Canada, but mainly people born in either Vermont or Mass. They listed their occupations as laborer, driller, plater, blacksmith, buffer, fitter, etc



Catalogs

Sears Catalog 1906
6f18 A.S. line engraving laminated 13.85
6f20 A.T. line engraving armory steel 14.85
6f22 A.D. line engraving 2-blade 17.35
6f30 A.L.E. leaf engraving laminated 16.35
6f34 A.D.E. leaf engraving 2-blade 18.85
6f56 engraved 3-blade 29.75
6f58 engraved 4-blade 39.75
6f60 made to order 5-blade 49.75
6f62 made to order 6-blade 69.00
6f50 A.S.E. fine line scroll and game scene laminated 19.35
6f52 D.S.E. fine line scroll and game scene 2-blade 22.35


Sears Catalog 1908
6k109 New England hammerless, steel 11.95
6k18 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, line engraving, crystal barrels / armory steel, 13.85
6k20 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, line engraving, Liege twist, 14.85
6k22 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, line engraving, 2-blade Liege Damascus, 17,35
6k30 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, elaborately engraved, A.L.E., Twist or Laminated, 16.35
6k34 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, elaborately engraved, A.D.E., 2-blade Damascus, 18.85
6k50 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, elaborately hand engraved, A.S.E., Twist, 19.35
6k52 AJ Aubrey Hammerless, elaborately hand engraved, D.S.E., 2-blade Damascus, 22.35
6k55 Aubrey Hammerless Special, heavy engraving, XX carbon steel, 26.75
6k56 Aubrey Hammerless Special, heavy engraving, 3-blade damascus, 30.75
6k58 Aubrey Damascus Special, heavy engraving, 3-blade damascus, 38.50
6k81 New England Wonder, hammer gun, no engraving, crystal steel barrels, 10.95
6k82 AJ Aubrey Double Barrel Hammer, no engraving, crystal steel barrels, 12.59
6k84 AJ Aubrey Double Barrel Hammer, no engraving, twist, 13.59
6k85 AJ Aubrey Double Barrel Hammer, no engraving, 2-blade damascus, 16.59
6k91 AJ Aubrey Special (hammer gun), moderately engraved, crystal steel barrels, 15.50
6k92 AJ Aubrey Special (hammer gun), moderately engraved, twist, 16.50
6k93 AJ Aubrey Special (hammer gun), moderately engraved, 2-blade damascus, 19.50
6k95 AJ Aubrey Finest (hammer gun), heavy engraving, crystal steel, 18.50
6k96 AJ Aubrey Finest (hammer gun), heavy engraving, 19.25
6k97 AJ Aubrey Finest (hammer gun), heavy engraving, 22.20


Sears Catalog 1909
ALE - Laminated - $16.35
ADE – 2 blade Damascus - $18.85
ASE – Elaborately engraved Laminated - $19.95
DSE – Elaborately engraved 2 blade - $22.35
Very elaborately engraved very fine 4 blade damascus - $29.75
Very finest 4 blade - $39.75
Special 4 blade - $49.75
Made to order finest hand engraved 4 blade - $69.00
L.C. Smith Grade 2 Damascus - $56.00

Patents

Description Location Patent # Filing Date Issue Date Url Link
Improved Safety for breakdown guns Hopkinton, MA 859477 8. Dec. 1904 9. Jul. 1907 View
Sight For Firearms Meriden, CT 839535 22. Mar. 1906 25. Dec. 1906 View
Sight For Firearms Meriden, CT 835091 5. May. 1906 6. Nov. 1906 View
Automatic Shell-Ejector for Firearm Meriden, CT 887569 14. Jan. 1907 12. May. 1908 View
Fore-Stock Fastener for Firearms Meriden, CT 887568 14. Jan. 1907 12. May. 1908 View
Gun-Lock Meriden, CT 902639 23. Jan. 1908 3. Nov. 1908 View
Safety Hammer Meriden, CT 911362 26. May. 1908 2. Feb. 1909 View
Rifle-Barrel Construction Meriden, CT 918491 8. Jan. 1909 20. Apr. 1909 View






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