Bay State Arms
Encyclopedia
The Bay State Arms Company was a Massachusetts
-based maker of single-barrel shotguns and falling block
rifles. It operated from 1870 to 1902.
in 1870. Circa 1873-1874 it was moved to Uxbridge, Massachusetts
. Local references in Uxbridge date the company in the 1880s located on the Mumford River
at Seth Read
s old Gristmill established in the 1770s. It appears that around 1874 the company was discontinued. The business was reorganized in 1880 in Worcester, Massachusetts making "Bay State Gun" branded firearms. In 1909 the company was purchased by Hopkins & Allen Arms Company of Norwich, Connecticut
which continued to use the "Bay State" brand name on single-barrel shotguns.
on single barrel guns. Harrington & Richardson was active from 1872 to 1985.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
-based maker of single-barrel shotguns and falling block
Falling block action
A falling-block action is a single-shot firearm action in which a solid metal breechblock slides vertically in grooves cut into the breech of the weapon and actuated by a lever....
rifles. It operated from 1870 to 1902.
History
The company was founded in Worcester, MassachusettsWorcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
in 1870. Circa 1873-1874 it was moved to Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled in 1662, incorporated in 1727 at Suffolk County, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. Uxbridge is south-southeast of Worcester, north-northwest of Providence, and southwest of Boston. It is part of...
. Local references in Uxbridge date the company in the 1880s located on the Mumford River
Mumford River
The Mumford River is an river in south-central Massachusetts. It is a tributary of the Blackstone River.The river rises from its headwaters in Sutton and Douglas at Manchaug Pond and flows east in a meandering path through a series of ponds , and joins the Blackstone River in Uxbridge.The river...
at Seth Read
Seth Read
Seth Read was born in Uxbridge, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and died at Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania, as "Seth Reed", at age 51.-Early life:...
s old Gristmill established in the 1770s. It appears that around 1874 the company was discontinued. The business was reorganized in 1880 in Worcester, Massachusetts making "Bay State Gun" branded firearms. In 1909 the company was purchased by Hopkins & Allen Arms Company of Norwich, Connecticut
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
which continued to use the "Bay State" brand name on single-barrel shotguns.
Other uses of the name
The trade name "Bay State" was also used by H & R FirearmsH & R Firearms
H & R 1871, LLC is a manufacturer of firearms under the Harrington & Richardson and New England Firearms trademarks...
on single barrel guns. Harrington & Richardson was active from 1872 to 1985.