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