Alabama Arms Company - The Firearms Forum

ridgewalker · 06-15-2011, 04:27 PM

Hi to everyone,
I wanted to try to get some info on a singleshot shotgun I found in the wall of an old house I was dismantling in northeast Alabama. As you can see it is just the rusty body of the breakdown shotgun. I eventually want to clean up the body, add a stock and barrel and use it as wall decor. I did find where the manufacturing plant was located ( present day Lanett AL.) but know nothing else. How many were manufactured, how many years in business, closed down or sold to another company, etc.? I have added a couple of pics, but for the life of me I could not get the inscriptions on the right hand side of the gun to show up in any pic. Will keep trying but might need a better camera. On the bottom side behind the trigger guard has a # 4333. On the left side of the gun reads: Alabama Arms Co. & Pat. May 14 1901. Any info anyone might have would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Don
Ridgewalker

Double D · 06-15-2011, 04:29 PM

Hello and welcome! I am still looking for the pictures!

ridgewalker · 06-15-2011, 04:37 PM

Thank you for your response DD, and the welcome... happy to become a part of this site. I am trying to post them as we speak. I meant to do it before posting the thread. duh! Bare with me... I,m not a real computer guru nor a typist.

I,ll get them asap. working on it. Thanks again!

Juker · 06-15-2011, 04:41 PM

Holy smoley! Another TFF "found gun" story!

Double D · 06-15-2011, 04:42 PM

In case your not sure, click on the paper clip for attachments and browse your pics. You will be allowed 4 pics. The size will matter so if they arent posting, they may have to be cropped.

ridgewalker · 06-15-2011, 04:45 PM

Thank you. I think I have it figured out with your assistance. I can actually see the AL Arms Co. and a bit of the pat. date on the gun after I posted them. Hope this helps. Thanks again!

hrf · 06-15-2011, 04:51 PM

Another forum identified Alabama Arms Company as a brand name made by Harrington & Richardson, and that patent date appears on some old H&R single barrels. If it's an H&R, Jim Hauff should know.

ridgewalker · 06-15-2011, 06:05 PM

Thanks to all. I appreciate it. Hey Juker... had to laugh... must be a ton of "found" stories on this site. I can tell I,m going to enjoy this site.

wonderwhippet · 06-15-2011, 06:28 PM

I think you should abandon any hopeless ideas of "cleaning up" this piece. It falls into the category of dug up relics and should be displayed just as it is.

Double D · 06-15-2011, 07:16 PM

Wow, thats pretty rough.....I am not sure what to say. Its cool to find stuff though.

3/2 STA SS · 06-16-2011, 06:21 AM

I would probably put it right back in the canal where I found it.

williamd · 06-16-2011, 10:55 AM

Google it for a limited amount of info.

Jim Hauff · 06-16-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrf

Another forum identified Alabama Arms Company as a brand name made by Harrington & Richardson, and that patent date appears on some old H&R single barrels. If it's an H&R, Jim Hauff should know.

Ridgewalker -
Welcome.
I'm pretty sure what you have is an H&R made Model 1900 - all the receiver contours match, including the patented "pivoting" removeable hinge pin. Check the pictures below. Finding replacement parts for this gun is possible, but because of the advanced state of decomposition - I'm thinking it is impractical. Check this link for parts available from NUMRICH/GPC on line catalogue.
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...spx?catid=8077
"Alabama Arms" as a 'brand name' made by H&R is a new one for me. ???
hrf - can you point me to that other forum? Thanks.
BTW - the value of these older guns is not high, even in v.good condition. Anything you do to restore this piece will be a labor of love.
One other thing - IIRC - the receivers were made of "decarbonized, semi-steel" a step or two above forged iron - attempts to remove the exterior corrosion may cause delamination of most of the exterior surface, go lightly and use lots of good grade oil - I would avoid penetrating oils such as KROIL - those may enhance the delamination.

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EDITED to add link to Numrich/GPC

Jim Hauff · 06-16-2011, 12:49 PM

ANOTHER observation - the serial number on your receiver is VERY low - I don't know if H&R used another series for "store brand" guns - but if not - that one was made very early in production probably 1901 or '02. Look the following pic and you will see that mine have "round" tangs. Also a pic of the hammer and top side of receiver - to compare with yours.

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hrf · 06-16-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Hauff

"Alabama Arms" as a 'brand name' made by H&R is a new one for me. ???
hrf - can you point me to that other forum? Thanks.

Here you go:

http://www.gabelguns.com/QuestionsAn...ionNumber=9676

Probably a few so-marked for some Alabama hardware company.

Jim Hauff · 06-16-2011, 01:55 PM

Thanks, Buddy. Not much info on how he determines that, BUT - the piece at hand seems to support his statement. Good info to know. Bill G. names "Bay State" and "Columbia" as two well known H&R store brands and states that he suspects there were others. Without factory data - it's difficult to determine who did what to whom and with what.

hrf · 06-16-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Hauff

Thanks, Buddy. Not much info on how he determines that, BUT - the piece at hand seems to support his statement. Good info to know. Bill G. names "Bay State" and "Columbia" as two well known H&R store brands and states that he suspects there were others. Without factory data - it's difficult to determine who did what to whom and with what.

ID pretty well confirmed by the identical patent date in identical position, and the unique hinge pin.

ridgewalker · 06-16-2011, 04:29 PM

Thanks so much Jim for your time, information and pictures. Very informative for me. At least now I know more about the type of gun some of its features, etc. Its not a matter of value for me except for the fact that it has my home state stamped on it. Obviously from information gathered from you, hrf and others I only plan to hang it as a wall relic. I will replicate a stock myself and do a little rework to an older barrel just for looks. I,ll actually make them look as delapitated as the existing body. I have quite a bit of old rusty farm tools, etc. hanging around and I,ll enjoy it just for the labor of love as you stated. If I can find any additional info concerning (the/or if there was) a manufacturing facility I will gladly post it. Thank you again and Thank You for serving our country!

ridgewalker · 06-16-2011, 04:49 PM

A brief history of H&R Nothing yet on Alabama Arms Co. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H_%26_R_Firearms

Jim Hauff · 06-16-2011, 07:54 PM

ridgewalker,
You are certainly welcome, sir. Thanks for thanking.
Can we squeeze a promise from you to post pics when you've finished your work?
I would certainly like to see what you will do with it.
With your permission, I would like to add your pics to my H&R research files.
ALSO, if you are able to research Alabama Gun Co. and find out ANYTHING about it, please let us know.

ridgewalker · 06-17-2011, 06:55 AM

Jim, you are more than welcome to use the photos. I,ll gladly post photos also when I finish the gun. It of course will be a side project in addition to my regular work so please be patient with me. I have already contacted the Alabama History & Archives at the state capitol concerning any information they might have about the AL. Arms Co.
They responded by telling me they were forwarding my inquiry to the head curator and he would be contacting me. I,m keeping my fingers crossed that they have some info! Lord knows if they know nothing what angle I,ll have to take to find something out, but I will not give up. Regardless what they say to me I,ll post it as soon as I get it. Thanks again!

Jim Hauff · 06-17-2011, 08:02 AM

ridge,
Thanks and thanks. Good luck with the project - take your time - but hurry up.

3/2 STA SS · 06-17-2011, 08:06 AM

He has more patients than most I know. I sure don't.

ridgewalker · 06-17-2011, 08:36 AM

Found this tidbit on Shotgun World forum.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...194714&start=0

ridgewalker · 06-17-2011, 08:44 AM

BLUFFTON IN THE 1890'S

Bluffton in southern Cherokee County, Alabama was a boomtown during Bob's early youth. A thriving city of approximately 8,000 residents, it was looked upon as the Pittsburgh of the South. The Bluffton Land, Ore and Furnace Company had purchased about 1,500 acres and had great plans for Bluffton's future. This company's Capital Stock was valued at $1,000,000.00 in 1890.

Bluffton officials planned for a future population of near 50,000 by the beginning of the twentieth century. The town had the first electrical generating plant in Cherokee County, a water works system, newspaper, hotel, churches, school and a Post Office by 1890.

Many businesses were established in Bluffton. Signal Land & Improvement Company built houses, sold and mortgaged real estate and were involved with many construction projects in the area. Bluffton Carwheel Company manufactured numerous articles large and small that were made from iron. The American Arms Company manufactured rifles, furniture, wagons, bicycles and many other products. Its main building was 220 feet long andsaid to be well lighted. The Sash, Door and Blind Company as well as several other factories were also at Bluffton.

06-15-2011, 04:27 PM	#1
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Alabama Arms Company Hi to everyone, I wanted to try to get some info on a singleshot shotgun I found in the wall of an old house I was dismantling in northeast Alabama. As you can see it is just the rusty body of the breakdown shotgun. I eventually want to clean up the body, add a stock and barrel and use it as wall decor. I did find where the manufacturing plant was located ( present day Lanett AL.) but know nothing else. How many were manufactured, how many years in business, closed down or sold to another company, etc.? I have added a couple of pics, but for the life of me I could not get the inscriptions on the right hand side of the gun to show up in any pic. Will keep trying but might need a better camera. On the bottom side behind the trigger guard has a # 4333. On the left side of the gun reads: Alabama Arms Co. & Pat. May 14 1901. Any info anyone might have would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance. Don Ridgewalker Attached Images --> Last edited by ridgewalker; 06-15-2011 at 04:42 PM.. Reason: add pics

06-15-2011, 04:29 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Alabama Arms Company Hello and welcome! I am still looking for the pictures! __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

06-15-2011, 04:37 PM	#3
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company Thank you for your response DD, and the welcome... happy to become a part of this site. I am trying to post them as we speak. I meant to do it before posting the thread. duh! Bare with me... I,m not a real computer guru nor a typist. I,ll get them asap. working on it. Thanks again!

06-15-2011, 04:41 PM	#4
Juker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Land of Lincoln Contributor Posts: 2,872	Re: Alabama Arms Company Holy smoley! Another TFF "found gun" story! __________________ SHOOT FIRST. SHOOT SECOND. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE THE MAN WHO'S SHOOTING LAST.

06-15-2011, 04:42 PM	#5
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Alabama Arms Company In case your not sure, click on the paper clip for attachments and browse your pics. You will be allowed 4 pics. The size will matter so if they arent posting, they may have to be cropped. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

06-15-2011, 04:45 PM	#6
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company Thank you. I think I have it figured out with your assistance. I can actually see the AL Arms Co. and a bit of the pat. date on the gun after I posted them. Hope this helps. Thanks again!

06-15-2011, 04:51 PM	#7
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,283	Re: Alabama Arms Company Another forum identified Alabama Arms Company as a brand name made by Harrington & Richardson, and that patent date appears on some old H&R single barrels. If it's an H&R, Jim Hauff should know.

06-15-2011, 06:05 PM	#8
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company Thanks to all. I appreciate it. Hey Juker... had to laugh... must be a ton of "found" stories on this site. I can tell I,m going to enjoy this site.

06-15-2011, 06:28 PM	#9
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,587	Re: Alabama Arms Company I think you should abandon any hopeless ideas of "cleaning up" this piece. It falls into the category of dug up relics and should be displayed just as it is.

06-15-2011, 07:16 PM	#10
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,089	Re: Alabama Arms Company Wow, thats pretty rough.....I am not sure what to say. Its cool to find stuff though. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

06-16-2011, 06:21 AM	#11
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,443	Re: Alabama Arms Company I would probably put it right back in the canal where I found it. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

06-16-2011, 10:55 AM	#12
williamd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 772	Re: Alabama Arms Company Google it for a limited amount of info. __________________ "Outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns!" But, we are moving that direction. NRA Benefactor, Vet VN '64-'65 Never sell a gun or a car and you can retire right!!

06-16-2011, 12:49 PM	#14
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Alabama Arms Company ANOTHER observation - the serial number on your receiver is VERY low - I don't know if H&R used another series for "store brand" guns - but if not - that one was made very early in production probably 1901 or '02. Look the following pic and you will see that mine have "round" tangs. Also a pic of the hammer and top side of receiver - to compare with yours. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 06-16-2011 at 12:51 PM..

06-16-2011, 01:55 PM	#16
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Alabama Arms Company Thanks, Buddy. Not much info on how he determines that, BUT - the piece at hand seems to support his statement. Good info to know. Bill G. names "Bay State" and "Columbia" as two well known H&R store brands and states that he suspects there were others. Without factory data - it's difficult to determine who did what to whom and with what. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

06-16-2011, 04:29 PM	#18
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company Thanks so much Jim for your time, information and pictures. Very informative for me. At least now I know more about the type of gun some of its features, etc. Its not a matter of value for me except for the fact that it has my home state stamped on it. Obviously from information gathered from you, hrf and others I only plan to hang it as a wall relic. I will replicate a stock myself and do a little rework to an older barrel just for looks. I,ll actually make them look as delapitated as the existing body. I have quite a bit of old rusty farm tools, etc. hanging around and I,ll enjoy it just for the labor of love as you stated. If I can find any additional info concerning (the/or if there was) a manufacturing facility I will gladly post it. Thank you again and Thank You for serving our country!

06-16-2011, 04:49 PM	#19
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company A brief history of H&R Nothing yet on Alabama Arms Co. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H_%26_R_Firearms

06-16-2011, 07:54 PM	#20
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Alabama Arms Company ridgewalker, You are certainly welcome, sir. Thanks for thanking. Can we squeeze a promise from you to post pics when you've finished your work? I would certainly like to see what you will do with it. With your permission, I would like to add your pics to my H&R research files. ALSO, if you are able to research Alabama Gun Co. and find out ANYTHING about it, please let us know. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

06-17-2011, 06:55 AM	#21
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company Jim, you are more than welcome to use the photos. I,ll gladly post photos also when I finish the gun. It of course will be a side project in addition to my regular work so please be patient with me. I have already contacted the Alabama History & Archives at the state capitol concerning any information they might have about the AL. Arms Co. They responded by telling me they were forwarding my inquiry to the head curator and he would be contacting me. I,m keeping my fingers crossed that they have some info! Lord knows if they know nothing what angle I,ll have to take to find something out, but I will not give up. Regardless what they say to me I,ll post it as soon as I get it. Thanks again!

06-17-2011, 08:02 AM	#22
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Alabama Arms Company ridge, Thanks and thanks. Good luck with the project - take your time - but hurry up. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

06-17-2011, 08:06 AM	#23
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,443	Re: Alabama Arms Company He has more patients than most I know. I sure don't. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

06-17-2011, 08:36 AM	#24
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company Found this tidbit on Shotgun World forum. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...194714&start=0

06-17-2011, 08:44 AM	#25
ridgewalker Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Alabama Arms Company BLUFFTON IN THE 1890'S Bluffton in southern Cherokee County, Alabama was a boomtown during Bob's early youth. A thriving city of approximately 8,000 residents, it was looked upon as the Pittsburgh of the South. The Bluffton Land, Ore and Furnace Company had purchased about 1,500 acres and had great plans for Bluffton's future. This company's Capital Stock was valued at $1,000,000.00 in 1890. Bluffton officials planned for a future population of near 50,000 by the beginning of the twentieth century. The town had the first electrical generating plant in Cherokee County, a water works system, newspaper, hotel, churches, school and a Post Office by 1890. Many businesses were established in Bluffton. Signal Land & Improvement Company built houses, sold and mortgaged real estate and were involved with many construction projects in the area. Bluffton Carwheel Company manufactured numerous articles large and small that were made from iron. The American Arms Company manufactured rifles, furniture, wagons, bicycles and many other products. Its main building was 220 feet long andsaid to be well lighted. The Sash, Door and Blind Company as well as several other factories were also at Bluffton.