Guns and Skates in Longmeadow

1870 Map of Longmeadow

The Warner Pistol Factory was a small fire arms manufacturing company located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts just south of the Pecowsic (Pecousic) Brook (see arrow).  The factory was established in the early 1860s by James Warner, who was a skilled gunsmith and inventor. 

Warner Pistol Factory

Date of photo is unknown
[click to enlarge image]

Today, the Warner Pistol Factory is remembered as an important part of the history of American firearms manufacturing.  James Warner made significant contributions to the industry, including his numerous patents and innovative designs.  In 1857, Warner received a patent for a new type of cartridge revolver that used self-contained cartridges. This breech loading design was a significant improvement over the previous percussion revolvers, which required the user to manually load each chamber with gunpowder, a ball and a percussion cap.

James Warner and Everett Hosmer Barney had a significant connection in the history of American firearms manufacturing.  In 1863, James Warner was granted a patent for a new breech-loading, single shot cartridge-based firearm that became known as the Warner Carbine.  Shortly before the end of the Civil War, Barney began working for James Warner at the Pistol Factory in order to provide some assistance in fulfilling a contract for the manufacture of army carbines for the US government. 

Warner Army Carbine- Civil War
Single shot- breech loading

The partnership between Warner and Barney continued for several years, and they collaborated on several other patents related to firearms design.  It was during this time at the factory that Barney discovered the beauty of the Pecowsic Valley where he later built his home.

Everett Hosmer Barney

Barney was also a prolific inventor and had many patents to his name, including patents for ice skates for which he became famous.   After the Civil War ended, there was significantly less demand for guns so Barney had time to work on an improved design for ice skates.  He leased the gun factory and made 500 pair of skates with a new metal clamp-on skate design which proved to be a winner with locals.

clamp-on skate design

 

 

With the successful proof of concept with the new clamp-on skate design John Berry- an old friend and associate in Boston joined Barney as a business partner in the skate business.  Together they moved from the former gun factory in Longmeadow and set up a manufacturing operation in Springfield near the Mill River in 1866.  After two years Barney bought out Berry’s interest and Berry retired from the firm in 1869.

In 1872 a larger manufacturing plant called the Barney and Berry Skate Company was built on Broad Street.  For over fifty years the company was one of the most prosperous in the city of Springfield.  At the height of its operation, the Barney and Berry Company were manufacturing over 600,000 skates per year and employing 250 workers.

Barney & Berry Skate Factory
1886 Sanford Map Section

Barney & Berry Skate Company
Broad Street, Springfield, MA

Through his successful business ventures Everett Barney became a rich man and in 1882 purchased 105 acres of land in the Pecousic Valley which was later to become part of Forest Park.  He built a majestic home called Pecousic Villa on this property overlooking the Connecticut River.

Pecousic Villa- Home of Everett Hosmer Barney

In June, 1890 a portion of Longmeadow extending south from Pecousic Brook to Forest Glen Road which included King Philip’s Stockade was granted to Springfield by the Massachusetts State Legislature for the later use in the creation of Forest Park.   Barney played a key role in the passage of this bill- “An Act to Annex a Part of the Town of Longmeadow to the City of Springfield”.  

On October 23, 1911 Everett H. Barney donated his land to the City of Springfield which eventually became part of Forest Park.

With declining demand for guns at the end of the Civil War the Warner Pistol Factory building was repurposed and used by the American Papier Mache Company to manufacture various items for sale.  The building was eventually demolished.

References

1.  Early Springfield and Longmeadow Massachusetts by Harry Andrew Wright, (1940)

2.  Springfield- Present and Prospective, by Eugene C. Gardner et al, (1905)

3.  Springfield Republican, September 6, 1872- The Papier-Mache Works

4.  Everett Hosmer Barney- His Family Connections- A Record of His Life Work by George Murray Barney,  (1912) Privately published

5.  The Original B& B: The Barney & Berry Company,  Skate Guard Blog, November 16, 2017

6.  Springfield Republican, November 9, 1870- The Best Skate in the World

7.  Springfield Republican, February 25, 1873- Mr. Barney’s  New Factory

8.  Springfield Republican, June 10, 1880

Written by Jim Moran/ Invited Historian