Springfield Arms S&W Revolver

[first-model]

Another aspect for 1864 is that the arms were intended for the South. Because of blockades, Mexico was the transfer point of least resistance. US guns were generally shipped from New York by steamer down to Mexico and I have noted shipments being seized in New York intended for the South. The more I think about it, the more it seems less likely the shipment was stopped by S&W and more likely because it was believed the arms were headed for the South.

Here's the text of the article:

Taken from the San Francisco Bulletin (San Francisco, CA, 2 Apr 1864, page 5):

Seizure of arms by the Custom house Authorities.—This morning the Custom-house authorities seized 33 boxes of arms which were being shipped on board the steamship John L. Stephens, bound for Mazatlan. A portion was on board at the time of seizure, while the balance was on the wharf ready to be taken on board. These arms appear to have been made by the Springfield Arms Company, and are splendidly-made weapons. They are said to number about 3,000 in all. They were brought from New York a few steamers ago, through Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, but have since been repacked in various sized cases such as generally contain shovels and agricultural implements and machinery, which are frequently sent to Mexico. We learn that it is not the intention of the seizure to confiscate the property but to prevent a violation of our neutrality laws against France. The arms will be held by the Collector until instructions can be had from the Department of State.

 

[GRI]

Here's the text of the article:

Taken from the San Francisco Bulletin (San Francisco, CA, 2 Apr 1864, page 5):

Seizure of arms by the Custom house Authorities.—This morning the Custom-house authorities seized 33 boxes of arms which were being shipped on board the steamship John L. Stephens, bound for Mazatlan. A portion was on board at the time of seizure, while the balance was on the wharf ready to be taken on board. These arms appear to have been made by the Springfield Arms Company, and are splendidly-made weapons. They are said to number about 3,000 in all. They were brought from New York a few steamers ago, through Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, but have since been repacked in various sized cases such as generally contain shovels and agricultural implements and machinery, which are frequently sent to Mexico. We learn that it is not the intention of the seizure to confiscate the property but to prevent a violation of our neutrality laws against France. The arms will be held by the Collector until instructions can be had from the Department of State.

Very interesting! At that very time the French had attempted on 28 and 31 March 1864 to capture the port and city of Mazatlan from the Mexican Republic and failed. What is astounding is that the 3,000 pistols are half the known production. Also, guns then were generally shipped with ammunition, but this does not seem to have been the case. Also, the shipment from New York could have been delivered on the way up to San Francisco. Perhaps they were sold to a merchant in San Francisco, who then sold them to the Mexican Republic.

 

[first-model]

Very interesting! At that very time the French had attempted on 28 and 31 March 1864 to capture the port and city of Mazatlan from the Mexican Republic and failed. What is astounding is that the 3,000 pistols are half the known production. Also, guns then were generally shipped with ammunition, but this does not seem to have been the case. Also, the shipment from New York could have been delivered on the way up to San Francisco. Perhaps they were sold to a merchant in San Francisco, who then sold them to the Mexican Republic.

We don't know that they were cartridge load revolvers ... the company is also known to have made percussion revolvers and (I think) some rifles as well.

Mike

 

[GRI]

We don't know that they were cartridge load revolvers ... the company is also known to have made percussion revolvers and (I think) some rifles as well.

Mike

I think you may be right, but there was such a large demand for firearms at the time both the North and the South were striping Europe of arms. I would think anything that could be sold would have been easily done without sending them to the West Coast. My first thought was that these were guns that for some reason could not be sold here.