Merrimack Arms Company

[Remember1864]

Am on yet another research project. This one to determine certain aspects of the Merrimack Arms Company, Newburyport, Mass. First and foremost; is this a CW era manufacturer? From what I've found thus far, the MAC came about in 1866. This company apparently began as Ball and Williams.(1861) Secondly, does anyone know if the company buildings, property, etc. still exist in Newburyport today?

Thank you...

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Merrimack Arms Company

Hallo!

I am not aware of a Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Company until 1866, and did not see them in the book of contracts.

The Ballard rifles and carbines had been initially made by Ball & Williams of Worchester beginning in 1862 and lasting into 1865, and distributed largely by Merwin & BRay of NYC.
Because of the demand, Merwin & Bray tried to cash in by bringing in an outsider in 1863 to make guns at
the Dwight, Chapin & Co. in Connecticut. They struggled for about a year, and foreited their contract.

Williams retired in July of 1865, and the company became R. Ball & Company. Ball & Company tried to make a go of it selling Ballard sporting rifles but went belly-up due to the War being over and the contracts drying up, and was sold to Bray.
Bray reformed the company in November of 1866 as the Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing in Newburyport.

Merrimack tried to make a go of it mostly selling Ballard sporting rifles but never really took off, and in 1869 was taken over by the Brown Manufacturing Co. also in Newburyport. Brown did okay selling Ballard sporters, (they listed carbines and shotguns but apparently never made any as had Ball and Merrimack), and did a batch of military rifles they were hoping to sell (but didn't) in Europe. With the depression, they fell into bankruptcy in 1873 Under mortgage forecloser, the business and factory was sold at public auction.

Not being from Newburyport, I cannot comment on what might remain of their factory.

Curt

[guad42]

Re: Merrimack Arms Company

Am on yet another research project. This one to determine certain aspects of the Merrimack Arms Company, Newburyport, Mass. First and foremost; is this a CW era manufacturer? From what I've found thus far, the MAC came about in 1866. This company apparently began as Ball and Williams.(1861) Secondly, does anyone know if the company buildings, property, etc. still exist in Newburyport today?

Thank you...

I am a native son of Essex County Massachusetts; born in Newburyport. I have a local historian there that helps me with such things, I will contact he now with your question and see what she has to say. Might check back tomorrow.

-Sam Dolan

[guad42]

Re: Merrimack Arms Company

Gents,

I heard from my friend Marge Motes who works as a historian/researcher at the Caleb Cushing House in Newburyport.

She had not heard of Ball and Williams, but told me that Merrimac Arms was in the building where the "Towle Building now stands", not sure if its the same building or just the same location.

Apparently they made Ballard actions/parts.

From Google Books – Rifles of the World by John Walter.

“Ballard”

“”The rifles were made in Worcester, Massachusetts first by Ball and Williams (1861-4) and then by R. Ball and Company (1864-6) though a few had been made in 1862-3 by Dwight Chapin and Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, under contract to Merrill and Bray Postwar productions passed to Merrimac Arms and Mfg. Company (1867-9) and then to the Brown Manufacturing Company end of American Civil War.”

Hope this helps. – Merrimack Arms and Brown Mfg. co. were in Newburyport, MA..

Here's a link with a photo of the Towle Building, which may have been the same structure for Merrimac Arms:
http://http://www.savaarchitects.com/portfolio/historic

-Sam Dolan

[guad42]

Re: Merrimack Arms Company

Gents,

I received some more information on the Arms companies in Newburyport and the Ballard. The attachment comes from a 1960s newspaper, so the info might be a little off (I'm not certain the Ballard was ever the most famous gun in America?)

Enjoy

-Sam Dolan

[guad42]

Re: Merrimack Arms Company

One other quick Newburyport tidbit:

Apparently Ames mfg swords that are marked HUSE were also made in Newburyport.

-Sam Dolan