The classic arms of the early years by rick hudak, with an introduction by stuart e. Harpers ferry armory is located in ranson, west virginia. The other was to be at harpers ferry, virginia a site selected by president washington. George washington and the establishment of the harpers ferry. The superintendent will purchase all stock, tools, materials, and all articles, of every description, necessary for every part of the armory, agreeably to the regulations of the war department for the administration of the national armories. Based on smiths own account, harpers ferry armory built in an isolated, malariainfested spot and grossly mismanaged for most of its history would probably best be simply forgotten, if it were not for two things. Although the early history of the harpers ferry armory illustrates how much personal.
Marshal harpers ferry flintlock pistol, manufactured at the harpers ferry armory in virginia now west virginia, was the first pistol manufactured by an american national armory. The history of the federal armory that became one of americas most famous national parks charles river editors on. The national armory has been associated with many prominent historical events throughout the history of the. The airconditioned property is 7 miles from charles town, and guests benefit from complimentary wifi and private parking available on site. Tucked in the mountains of west virginia only 7 miles from the original location, americas second arsenal and armory has been revitalized to offer ar15s, 1911s, and jframe revolvers. Includes pictures includes historic accounts of harpers ferrys history, including john browns raid and stonewall jacksons 1862 occupation includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading. Social welfare history project harpers ferry raid, 1859. Harpers ferry armory and arsenal harpers ferry national. The 15 best things to do in harpers ferry coronavirus. Initial manufacture markings by either the armory, or private contractor including inspection and proof marks 2. This organization primarily operates in the firearms business industry within the miscellaneous retail sector. Harpers ferry armory inc 835 e washington st, charles. Harpers ferry armory, more formally known as the united states armory and arsenal at harpers ferry, was the second federal armory commissioned by the united states government. Courtesy of wv and regional history collection 35 figure 15.
About 125 of the armorers then engaged in the armory were purchasers, either at the appraised value or at public auction, of the houses and lots sold by the united states at the harpers ferry armory on the 1st of september, 1852. An introduction to the upcoming 2012 release of harpers ferry arsenal and joseph perkins. You can see abutments for two old railroad bridges. This study is an important contribution to both urban and technological history.
The armory made five major types of shoulder arms between 1795 and 1963. Used in john browns 1859 raid the image below is an excerpt of a photograph taken around 1862. Singleshot, smoothbore flintlock muskets, based on late 18th century french models, were the earliest and longestmade, produced at springfield in several variations between 1795 and 1842. In the 1790s, the federal government authorized two arsenals for the united states. Especially interesting in the contrast and comparison the author provides vis a vis the springfield armory at the time the harpers tendency to champion artistry over machination in that regard is fascinating stuff. M5 book is soiled especially on the front and next few pages, some wrinkling on the front bottom edges and back top edge, some light crease on the front, 0.
He is a writer, lecturer, guide, preservationist, and prominent civil war historian. Smiths book confronts one of the central issues in. It became a prime military target two years later at the start of the civil war. History of harpers ferry harpers ferry was first settled in 1732 by peter stephens, whose squatters rights were bought in 1747 by robert harper, for whom the town was named.
Harpers ferry lsd 49 naval cruise book, class of 1997, page 8 of 214 has the largest online yearbook collection of college, university, high school, middle school, junior high school, military, naval cruise books and yearbooks. Springfield, ma, was chosen as the site for the first national armory. John browns raid on harpers ferry of october 1618, 1859 also known as john browns raid or the raid on harpers ferry was an attempt by the white abolitionist john brown to start an armed slave revolt in 1859 by seizing a united states arsenal at harpers ferry, virginia. It shows the main entrance to the armory, including the south side of the fire engine house and guard house on the left with a white cupola on the roof in which john brown and his company barricaded themselves during their 1859 raid of harpers ferry. By 1810, harpers ferry was producing 10,000 muskets, rifles and pistols a year. Situated near the confluence of the shenandoah river and potomac river, it is one of the few places in the country that practically borders three states, and the location ultimately compelled george washington himself to place a federal armory and arsenal there. Very readable analysis of the harpers ferry armory, from the late 17th to the mid 18th centuries. There were a whole bunch of slight variations in the m1855s among the national armories and the contractors especially during that 18589 period. The history of the federal armory that became one of americas most famous national parks looks at the turbulent history of the site.
By a resolution of the house of representatives, passed march 26, 1867, the attorney general is directed to examine the title papers concerning the public property at harpers ferry, west virginia, used previous to the rebellion for an armory, and report his opinion as to the title of the united states to the same, whether it is in fee. View the new experience and read this book on fulcrum. Harpers ferry armory inc 835 e washington st, charles town. Army, hall relocated his operations from maine to some unused armory buildings on virginius island, located near the banks of the shenandoah river in harpers ferry. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Voyager books voyager bookstore is located in beautiful and historic harpers ferry, west virginia. Despite having had far more than its share of disasters. Magdols book would have been strength ened by a more thoughtful. In 1796, the government purchased a 125acre parcel of land bounded by the potomac and shenandoah rivers from the heirs or robert harper. Jul 27, 2019 abolitionist john brown leads a small group on a raid against a federal armory in harpers ferry, virginia now west virginia, in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the. About harpers ferry corporation of harpers ferry, west. Harpers ferry, population 286 at the 2010 census, is a historic town in jefferson county, west virginia, united states, in the lower shenandoah valley. Harpers ferry armory and arsenal johns military history.
The production of weapons at the springfield armory was very similar to the activities at the harpers ferry armory. Last week we were fortunate to see the armory canal rewatered for the first time in 25 years. On the left of the pan the potomac cuts through the blue ridge, flowing from the right of the picture. Exploring armory quarters house built precivil war for. The vacation home features 2 bedrooms, a tv and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, a microwave, a washing machine, a fridge and. Craftsmen in clothing of the period are shown in actual stages of production including shaping the gunstock on the blanchard lathe. The towns population climbed to 3,000 by the mid1800s. Conversion to percussion markings, including reproof and sometimes lock plate date changes 3.
It is situated at the confluence of the potomac and shenandoah rivers, where the u. In many books, the town is called harpers ferry with an apostrophe. It was the standard handgun of the us dragoons during the war of 1812. Harpers ferry armory offers modern handguns and rifles including 1911 pistols, 38 special and 357 magnum revolvers and ar15 platform rifles.
John browns fort is featured on the coin and the packaging includes a history of the park as well as a history of john browns raid on harpers ferry. Also known as the united states armory and arsenal at harpers ferry. With the raid by john brown on the armory in october of 1859, the name harpers ferry became notorious across the united states. Harpers ferry armory project gutenberg selfpublishing. Harpers ferry armory 301 n mildred st, ranson, west virginia 25438 rated 4. It is the easternmost town in west virginia and during the civil war the northernmost point of.
Especially interesting in the contrast and comparison the author provides vis a vis the springfield armory at the time the harpers tendency to champion artistry over machination in. In 1859, the armory became the target of an illfated raid. Armory at harpers ferry, however, is much more than the story of john brown. A local study of much more than local significance, it highlights the major problems of technical innovation and social adaptation in antebellum america. Frye is the chief historian at harpers ferry national historical park. About harpers ferry armory at harpers ferry armory, a legacy has been reborn and a heritage kept. I love the armory canal trail, its history and nature in union. Harpers ferry national historical park maryland historic. The national armory has been associated with many prominent historical events throughout the history of the united states.
Lincoln, a major new biography of one of americas greatest generalsand most misunderstood presidents winner of the william henry seward award for excellence in civil war biography finalist for the gilderlehrman military history book prize. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. A wellknow author, dennis has written 77 articles and six books. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about harpers ferry like never before, in no time at all. Harpers ferry armory simple english wikipedia, the free. This organization has been operating for approximately 5 years. It was located in harpers ferry, west virginia then part of virginia. The harpers ferry model 1803 rifle was the first standard rifle as opposed to a smoothbore musket, made by an american armory. John browns spy tells the story of the raid from the point of view of the ones who saw it best. Bonus points if you find the footings for the old bollman railroad bridge that once spanned the canal.
It also has a nationally significant industrial history. Oct 14, 2017 by 1810, harpers ferry was producing 10,000 muskets, rifles and pistols a year. News of the events at harpers ferry accessible archives inc. Harpers ferry is best known during the civil war, it was a battle field between union and confederate soldiers and the venue for john browns raid in the armory 1859. Originally part of virginia, harpers ferry is located in the eastern panhandle of west virginia near the convergence of the shenandoah and potomac rivers. President george washington, given wide latitude in carrying out this order, selected harpers ferry, then a part of virginia, for the location of the harpers ferry national armory. In about 1750 harper was given a patent on 125 acres 0. The history of the federal armory that became one of americas. The site of john browns infamous raid, which brought what the author considers the first shots of the civil war, harpers ferry also has stood floods, plague, invasion, assault, cannon fire, the depression, prohibition, and just plain bad luck. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. New ideas about the interchangeability of manufactured parts were tried and tested in the armorys busy workshops. The armory was in the area roughly between the two modern bridges.
Aug 20, 2016 abandoned armory house in harpers ferry built before the american civil war so 1861 or earlier from what the locals nearby told me it was built to house workers from the nearby armory, the. Harpers ferry arsenal and armory fortwiki historic u. Harpers ferry armory, more formally known as the united states armory and arsenal at. Cerakoted in either black, bronze or blue and accented with polished trigger, cylinder, hammer, and fittings, these revolvers look as good as they shoot. George washington and the establishment of the harpers. Set of two harpers ferry national historical park uncirculated quarters, one from the denver mint and one from the philadelphia mint. Harpers ferry national armory was both an armory and an arsenal. Idenification markings placed on the weapon by whoever it was issued to, or picked it up. Harpers ferry model 1842 percussion musket nra museums. In many books the town is called harpers ferry with an apostrophe.
The really significant question arose when it came time to decide upon the location of arsenals in the middle and southern states. Strange story harpers ferry abebooks shop for books. Exploring armory quarters house built precivil war for the. The smaller river is the shenandoah, with the town of harpers ferry between the two. Brown iii, where collectors and historians may preorder. Marines attacking john brown and his men at harpers ferry, 1859 on october 16, 1859 in the town of harpers ferry, virginia now west virginia john brown, an ardent abolitionist, and 21 other men raided a west virginia armory to seize weapons for a planned slavery insurrection. In 1794, congress approved a bill for the erecting and repairing of arsenals and magazines. Whats the best book about john brown and the harpers. Browns raid, accompanied by 20 men in his party, was defeated by a detachment of u. Used in john browns 1859 raid university of illinois. Some variations are considered more rare or desirable than others so command higher prices. About harpers ferry corporation of harpers ferry, west virginia. Seeking info on marks on a gun harpers ferry musket. It was located in harpers ferry, west virginia then part of virginia, while the first federal armory was the springfield armory located in springfield, massachusetts.
Harpers ferry arsenal and armory 17951862 first established in 1795 by the order of president george washington, at harpers ferry in jefferson county, west virginia. It was also called the mother arsenal, a term coined in 1797 by the first secretary of the navy benjamin stoddert. Harpers ferry, still perhaps best known as harpers ferry, is one of the most unique places in american history. It was located in harpers ferry, west virginia, while the first federal armory was the springfield armory located in springfield, massachusetts.
The 174year history of weapons manufacture is told in springfield armory. Abandoned armory house in harpers ferry built before the american civil war so 1861 or earlier from what the locals nearby told me it was built to house workers from the nearby armory, the. The best book ive read yet is john browns spy by lubet, followed by john browns trial by mcginty. The town is located on a lowlying flood plain created by the two rivers surrounded by hills. In 1796, the united states government purchased a 125acre 0.
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