A.J. Aubrey -- Albert James Aubrey (Feb 23, 1862 to Dec. 3, 1947) was born in Meriden, CT., and by the 1880 "U.S. Census was, at age 17, listed as working in the gun factory, likely Parker Bros. (My math says he should have been 18, but the census says 17?!?) On Nov 25, 1891, Albert married Miss Blanche Boomer of Wilkes-Barre, PA. in Fulton, New York. Maybe he was working at Hunter Arms at that time. The 1893 Wilkes-Barre City directory listed Albert as plant superintendent for the Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. When Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. folded the 1895 WB City directory lists Albert as removed to Elmira, NY.
Albert became manager of production for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1904. He convinced Sears it would be more profitable to make their own guns then contract out. In 1905 they bought a factory in Meriden, and with Albert J. Aubrey as vice president formed the Meriden Firearms Co.
As I understand it the guns sold by Sears were marked A.J. Aubrey and the guns sold outside the Sears chain were marked Meriden Firearms Co.
July 9, 1907, relates to A.J. Aubrey Patent No. 859477, which applies to improvements to the safety on hammerless guns, and should really have no application to a hammer gun!?! Guess they only had one roll stamp for rib markings?!?
Wow do we miss Russ Ruppel when questions about these guns come up!!!!
Last edited by Researcher; 04/07/07 12:42 AM.
