The Andrew Fyrberg & Sons plant in Worcester had contracted in 1899 to sell it’s entire gun production to Sears, and shortly thereafter Richard Sears purchased an interest in the firm. The 1902 Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog lists the $15.75 “Chicago Long Range Wonder” hammerless double and the single barrel “Long Range Winner” (not Wonder)… “BUILT IN OUR OWN FACTORY under the direct supervision of one of the most skilled gun makers in America…and his two sons, expert gun machinists, gun and tool makers…in Worcester, Mass.” There were also several guns with different American Gun Co. names (made by Crescent in Norwich until purchased by H&D Folsom) including the “Bar Lock All American” and “New American.” Other Folsom made “Wonder” guns were the “White Powder Wonder”, “Gold Medal Wonder”, and the “American Bar Lock Wonder.” That same year, Fyrberg moved production to an old shoe factory in Hopkinton, Mass.
In 1904, Richard Sears bought Fyrberg’s interest and moved the machinists and machinery to the vacant Malleable Iron Co. building on North Colony St. in Meriden. THAT became Meriden Fire Arms Co. when A.J. Aubrey came along.
Last edited by revdocdrew; 08/15/08 12:21 PM.
