Smith & Wesson founded as a firearms manufacturer

Background. Horace Smith, an American gunsmith and inventor, and Daniel B. Wesson formed a partnership in 1852 for the purpose of developing magazine arms. This collaboration was intended to manufacture firearms under the Smith & Wesson name. The partnership was established in Norwich, Connecticut, to develop the Volcanic rifle, which was the first repeating rifle.

Formation. The Smith & Wesson Company was founded in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1852 by Wesson to develop the Volcanic rifle. Smith developed a new Volcanic Cartridge, which he patented in 1854. The company was renamed Volcanic Repeating Arms in 1855 and was purchased by Oliver Winchester, who financed the venture largely.

Reorganization. After the sale to Oliver Winchester, the original company became the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Wesson left Volcanic Repeating Arms in 1856 and rejoined Smith to form the Smith & Wesson Revolver Company. This new entity, which would become the modern Smith & Wesson, focused on producing pistols with interchangeable parts and revolving magazines.