Davenport, William H.

Name	Street	Town	State	From	To
Davenport, W.H.	Eddy Street	Providence	Rode Island	1878
Davenport, W.H.	79 Orange Street	Providence	Rode Island		1884
Davenport, W.H.		Uxbridge	Massachusetts	1884	1887
Davenport, W.H.		Norwich. London county	Connecticut	1887	1904

See also Davenport Walton C., he assigned some patents to his father W. H. Davenport.

Patent	Date	Remarks
237,432	February 8, 1881	Breech-Loading Fire-Arm view patent
243,223	June 21, 1881	Breech-Loading Fire-Arm view patent
251,099	December 20, 1881	Breech-Loading Fire-Arm, assigned to the Davenport Arms Company, Povidence view patent
290,751	December 25, 1883	Breech-Loading Gun view patent
300,851	June 24, 1884	Breech-Loading Fire-Arm view patent
300,852	June 24, 1884	Breech-Loading Fire-Arm view patent
315,130	April 7, 1885	Cutter-Head for Rifling-Machines, joined patent of W.H. Davenport and Joseph W. Day view patent
320,637	June 23, 1885	Fire-Arm view patent
326,276	September 15, 1885	Fire-Arm view patent
334,570	January 19, 1886	Cocking Mechanism for Breech-Loading Guns view patent
390,286	October 2, 1888	Set-Trigger for Fire-Arm view patent
406,031	July 2, 1889	Breech-.Loading Fire-Arm view patent
406,032	July 2, 1889	Mechanism for Fastening Barrels to Gunstocks view patent
442,106	December 9, 1890	Adjustable Extractor for Breech-Loading Guns view patent
465,354	December 15, 1891	Breech-Loading Fire-Arm view patent
514,674	February 13, 1894	Ejector for Breakdown Guns view patent
549,706	November 12, 1895	Cocking Device for Breakdown Guns view patent
565,605	August 11, 1896	Shell-Extractor for Breakdown Guns view patent
565,606	August 11, 1896	Shell-Extractor for Breakdown Guns view patent
580,679	April 13, 1897	Magazine-Gun view patent
592,239	October 26, 1897	Shell-Ejecting Device for Firearms view patent
615,958	December 13, 1898	Ejecting Device for Breakdown Guns view patent
638,322	December 5, 1899	Extractor Mechanism for Breakdown Guns view patent
D33,975	August 14, 1900	Design for a Plate for Thumb Screws view patent
701,158	May 27, 1902	Breakdown Gun view patent
701,159	May 27, 1902	Locking-Key for Firearms view patent

Contract	for

Product
W. H. Davenport W. H. Davenport & Co. Davenport Arms Company Bay State Arms Company Davenport Fira Arms Company William Hastings Davenport was born April 20, 1828, Mendon, Massachusetts and died in 1904. He was married to Julia A. Taft Davenport (1832-1912) in 1850. Their children were: William P. Davenport (1851-1887), Stearns Longley Davenport (1854-1927), Walton Clayton Davenport (1857-1936) and Cora Bethanna Davenport Webster 1861-1940). Davenport was initially a barrel maker for gun manufacturers such as Sharps, Hopking & Allen, Burnside... In 1878, he named his company W.H. Davenport & Co. A few years later he closed his business and reopened it as the Davenport Arms Company at 79 Orange Street, Providence. In 1884, he ceased all activities in Providende and founded the Bay State Arms Company together with Joseph Walter Day on March 7, 1884. Their business was located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Uxbridge Compendium, a local weekly newspaper wrote on October 3, 1884: "Business is so good at the Bay State Arms Co's, and the outlook for the future so encouraging while the shop room is so inadequate to this growing industry, that a 30 foot addition to the south end of the main shop is contemplated. This addition, which will he three stories high surmounted by a mansard roof, will cover the entire space to the present street line and if in future more room still is needed another story will be built with the same style of roof, to the present main building." The company finished about 25 guns daily, all probably based on Davenports 1883 patent. On January 21, 1887 the company was dissolved and the machinery etc. were shipped to Norwich, Connecticut. Compendium, January 21, 1887: "The Bay State Arms Company, who have been shipping their machinery, stock and tools to Norwich, CT., the last ten days, sent off the last load today. They will occupy in Norwich the large shop of the Hopkins and Allen M'fg. Company, whose charter they will run under. The shop was built expressly for the manufacture of rifles and shot guns and is well fitted up with the most improved heavy machinery which the concern here never had room for. With this and the full complement of smaller machinery and special tools the consolidated company will have every facility for competing with any arms manufactory in the country and expect at the outset a business of four times the magnitude of that done here. J. Walter Day will retain his connection with the new company and will be accompanied there by the Messrs Davenport and nearly all the pre- sent help, and expects to be running there within the next week. " Compendium, February 18, 1887: "Walton C. Davenport moved his family to Norwich, Ct., Saturday, and M.W. Gross and Noah Bellville will move there shortly, besides six other families who will go sooner or later, on account of the Arms Company locating there." When the Bay State Arms Company was dissolved in 1887, Deavenport found a job as plant manager at Hopkins & Allen, but already in 1890 he had founded a new company called the Davenport Fire Arms Co. This company operated until 1909. Hopkins & Allen bought the rights and continued to produce the Davenport models. Taken from their 1900 catalog " in 1894 we introduced, the first automatic shell ejecting device ever used on single breech loading shot guns" Elita Gun Barrels up to 36" available as option. The Elita's were sold for $18 in 1900. 12 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 30" or 32" barrel 16 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 28" or 30" barrel 20 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 26" or 28" barrel The Davenport Gose Gun Locks and frames are case hardened, black walnut stock, checkered pistol grip, London laminated twist barrels, introduced in 1897 8 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 36" barrel, price in 1900 $20 10 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 36" barrel, price in 1900 $18 Acme Gun Frame is case hardened, black walnut stock, plain pistol grip, decarbonized rolled steel barrels, up to 36" barrels as option, introduced in 1897 12 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 30" or 32" barrel the 12 gauge was also available with London laminated twist barrels 16 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 30" barrel 20 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 28" barrel Model 1891 Rifle no description available Brownie Rifle Replaced the Model 1891 rifle no longer available in 1899, case-hardened frame, black walnut stock standard long and short rim fire, single shot rifle with loading lever, automatic ejector, 22" or 24" round blue stell barrels, sold for $8 in 1900 ----------------------------- Thanks to Jim who sent me pictures of his 12 gauge single action shotun, with 32" barrel, marked W. H. DAVENPORT FIREARMS NORWICH CONN. USA. I would appreciate if someone could explain the marking YE COLONIAL or give additional information. Jim an me did not manage to clarify that. Go to http://www.american-firearms.com/ and click on mail to me. Thanks a lot, Rudi marking on top (sorry, pic is not clear) additional marking YE COLONIAL on left side shotgun in loading position left side

Product

W. H. Davenport
W. H. Davenport & Co.
Davenport Arms Company
Bay State Arms Company
Davenport Fira Arms Company

William Hastings Davenport was born April 20, 1828, Mendon, Massachusetts and died in 1904. He was married to Julia A. Taft Davenport (1832-1912) in 1850. Their children were: William P. Davenport (1851-1887), Stearns Longley Davenport (1854-1927), Walton Clayton Davenport (1857-1936) and Cora Bethanna Davenport Webster 1861-1940).

Davenport was initially a barrel maker for gun manufacturers such as Sharps, Hopking & Allen, Burnside... In 1878, he named his company W.H. Davenport & Co. A few years later he closed his business and reopened it as the Davenport Arms Company at 79 Orange Street, Providence.

In 1884, he ceased all activities in Providende and founded the Bay State Arms Company together with Joseph Walter Day on March 7, 1884. Their business was located in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.

Uxbridge Compendium, a local weekly newspaper wrote on October 3, 1884:

"Business is so good at the Bay State Arms Co's, and the outlook for
the future so encouraging while the shop room is so inadequate to
this growing industry, that a 30 foot addition to the south end of
the main shop is contemplated. This addition, which will he three
stories high surmounted by a mansard roof, will cover the entire
space to the present street line and if in future more room still is
needed another story will be built with the same style of roof, to
the present main building."

The company finished about 25 guns daily, all probably based on Davenports 1883 patent. On January 21, 1887 the company was dissolved and the machinery etc. were shipped to Norwich, Connecticut.

Compendium, January 21, 1887:

"The Bay State Arms Company, who have been shipping their
machinery, stock and tools to Norwich, CT., the last ten days, sent
off the last load today. They will occupy in Norwich the large shop
of the Hopkins and Allen M'fg. Company, whose charter they will
run under. The shop was built expressly for the manufacture of rifles
and shot guns and is well fitted up with the most improved heavy
machinery which the concern here never had room for. With this
and the full complement of smaller machinery and special tools the
consolidated company will have every facility for competing with
any arms manufactory in the country and expect at the outset a
business of four times the magnitude of that done here. J. Walter
Day will retain his connection with the new company and will be
accompanied there by the Messrs Davenport and nearly all the pre-
sent help, and expects to be running there within the next week. "

Compendium, February 18, 1887:

"Walton C. Davenport moved his family to Norwich, Ct., Saturday,
and M.W. Gross and Noah Bellville will move there shortly, besides
six other families who will go sooner or later, on account of the
Arms Company locating there."

When the Bay State Arms Company was dissolved in 1887, Deavenport found a job as plant manager at Hopkins & Allen, but already in 1890 he had founded a new company called the Davenport Fire Arms Co. This company operated until 1909. Hopkins & Allen bought the rights and continued to produce the Davenport models.

Taken from their 1900 catalog

" in 1894 we introduced, the first automatic shell ejecting device ever used on single breech loading shot guns"

Elita Gun

Barrels up to 36" available as option. The Elita's were sold for $18 in 1900.

12 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 30" or 32" barrel

16 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 28" or 30" barrel

20 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 26" or 28" barrel

The Davenport Gose Gun

Locks and frames are case hardened, black walnut stock, checkered pistol grip, London laminated twist barrels, introduced in 1897

8 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 36" barrel, price in 1900 $20

10 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 36" barrel, price in 1900 $18

Acme Gun

Frame is case hardened, black walnut stock, plain pistol grip, decarbonized rolled steel barrels, up to 36" barrels as option, introduced in 1897

12 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 30" or 32" barrel

the 12 gauge was also available with London laminated twist barrels

16 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 30" barrel

20 gauge, single shot shotgun, automatic ejector, available with 28" barrel

Model 1891 Rifle

no description available

Brownie Rifle

Replaced the Model 1891 rifle no longer available in 1899, case-hardened frame, black walnut stock

standard long and short rim fire, single shot rifle with loading lever, automatic ejector, 22" or 24" round blue stell barrels, sold for $8 in 1900

----------------------------- Thanks to Jim who sent me pictures of his 12 gauge single action shotun, with 32" barrel, marked W. H. DAVENPORT FIREARMS NORWICH CONN. USA.

I would appreciate if someone could explain the marking YE COLONIAL or give additional information. Jim an me did not manage to clarify that. Go to
http://www.american-firearms.com/
and click on mail to me.
Thanks a lot, Rudi
marking on top (sorry, pic is not clear)
additional marking YE COLONIAL on left side
shotgun in loading position
left side