RM Vivas
US Veteran
The Baumann Butt Anchor
(The jokes just write themselves)
Many years ago, when CVHM first got in a large batch of S&W records, I went through them and found mention of a device intended to aid policeman in accurate revolver fire.
From my reading it was a typical patrolmans nightstick but it had a large U-notch cut in one end. A patrolman could kneel, place his nightstick vertically on the ground, rest the barrel in the U-notch and use the whole affair as a sort of monopod to increase accuracy.
Recently I came across some correspondence from a Joseph Baumann ca. 1920's and into the very early 1930's about a device he created and he called a Butt Anchor. It also went by the name Baumann Device.
My curiosity was piqued when I saw a letter from S&W to Mr. Baumann where they mention having paid him $1,500 for his patent. The patent covered a 'plate' that attached to the butt of the gun and allowed it to be 'clipped' onto the patrolmans nightstick. I thought this interesting and did some more digging and from what I can find thus far, S&W either purchased the patent or had the patent assigned to them for $1,500 in the late 1920's, yet I've never heard of this nor seen anything like it.
While my Google-Fu is usually pretty good, I can't find any information on "butt anchor" (although the Google search results for that were fascinating!), "Baumann Device" or any sort of patent info. I don't have the patent number.
I'm going to list what info I have found so far and see if the S&W Brain Trust/Collective/Hive Mind can find anything. If you do, please add it to this thread and explain how you found it.
Joseph Baumann
Worked at NY Sporting Goods 95 Chambers St, NYC
Earliest mention of this matter is 1/26
S&W used terms :butt anchor" and "butt anchor plate"
Correspondence from 1934 refers to "Baumann Devices"
Bauman's attorney was Mr. C.C. Cousins
1927 letter from S&W to Baumann "...we advanced you, in cash, $1,500 in consideration of certain patent rights...."; consult "...our auditors, Messrs. Ernst & Ernst, at 1 Federal Street, Boston, MA..."
Best,
RM Vivas
(The jokes just write themselves)
Many years ago, when CVHM first got in a large batch of S&W records, I went through them and found mention of a device intended to aid policeman in accurate revolver fire.
From my reading it was a typical patrolmans nightstick but it had a large U-notch cut in one end. A patrolman could kneel, place his nightstick vertically on the ground, rest the barrel in the U-notch and use the whole affair as a sort of monopod to increase accuracy.
Recently I came across some correspondence from a Joseph Baumann ca. 1920's and into the very early 1930's about a device he created and he called a Butt Anchor. It also went by the name Baumann Device.
My curiosity was piqued when I saw a letter from S&W to Mr. Baumann where they mention having paid him $1,500 for his patent. The patent covered a 'plate' that attached to the butt of the gun and allowed it to be 'clipped' onto the patrolmans nightstick. I thought this interesting and did some more digging and from what I can find thus far, S&W either purchased the patent or had the patent assigned to them for $1,500 in the late 1920's, yet I've never heard of this nor seen anything like it.
While my Google-Fu is usually pretty good, I can't find any information on "butt anchor" (although the Google search results for that were fascinating!), "Baumann Device" or any sort of patent info. I don't have the patent number.
I'm going to list what info I have found so far and see if the S&W Brain Trust/Collective/Hive Mind can find anything. If you do, please add it to this thread and explain how you found it.
Joseph Baumann
Worked at NY Sporting Goods 95 Chambers St, NYC
Earliest mention of this matter is 1/26
S&W used terms :butt anchor" and "butt anchor plate"
Correspondence from 1934 refers to "Baumann Devices"
Bauman's attorney was Mr. C.C. Cousins
1927 letter from S&W to Baumann "...we advanced you, in cash, $1,500 in consideration of certain patent rights...."; consult "...our auditors, Messrs. Ernst & Ernst, at 1 Federal Street, Boston, MA..."
Best,
RM Vivas
