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BUCKLAND, Cyrus (1799-1891). Inventor. George Washington’s concern over standardization of rifles for the Continental Army led to the formation of a national armory. He selected Springfield, Mass. As its site. Completed in 1794, it was the first national armory in the United States. The armory was an outstanding machinery center for the design and mass production of weapons. The armory employed notable engineers such as Cyrus Buckland. In 1828 Buckland became a pattern-maker in the U.S. Armory. He rose to become a designer of machinery and tools for the manufacture of firearms. He was also an inspector of all the different parts of the armory and also an inspector of cannon. He remodeled old weapons and designed new ones. He devised machinery for producing the arms used in the U.S. service. He devised a set of stock making machines. He invented machines for turning the upper band of the musket. His last invention was for cutting the thread of the screw on the inside of the barrel and milling the breech-screw effected a great improvement in the manufacture of small arms. The stocking apparatus and his other inventions reduced the cost of making muskets by fifty percent. In 1852, Buckland became Superintendent of the armory. He retired from the armory, an invalid in 1859.
Two autograph letters signed on both sides of one sheet. Springfield, mass, Oct.3, 1886 to Ben W. Austin. Buckland states he is honored that members of the Northwestern literary and Historical Society have elected him an honorable member. He adds: “the photograph you asked, please find enclosed...” Signed in full. In a P.S.(Second ALS) Oct.29th 1886 he writes in part: “I must apologize for not responding sooner. When I wrote the foregoing letter I expected a photograph in a day or two. But by some strange delay of the photographer I have not got it yet. Therefore I send the letter without it. And as soon as I obtain one will forward it....” Signed once again in full. Photograph included. Fine condition. Letters from the hand of Cyrus Buckland are quite scarce..................................$295.00



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