Isaiah Fernandez
Mr. Skipper
Encounters 7
March 5, 2023
Daniel B. Wesson, and Horace Smith
Introduction
Imagine a life filled wno rights, fear, and worry, thanks to Smith & Wesson, we can live life knowing we have protection. The weapons this company created are owned by many American citizens for self defense. Their weapons have also been, and are still used in warfare by the military. Smith & Wesson is one of the biggest arms companies and it was started by only two people, those two people were Daniel Baird Wesson and Horace Smith. Their company and partnership was on and off, but in the end it worked out and it became one of the biggest weapon manufacturing companies in the world.
Early Life
Daniel B. Wesson was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on May 18, 1825. His parents were Rufus Wesson, born 1786, and Betsy Baird Wesson, born 1788 (Daniel B.Wesson, Notable Names Database). His father was a farmer and manufactured wooden plows (Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson Biography). He was the fourth of ten children, five sisters and four brothers. His sisters' names were Cornelia Wesson Harrington, Betsy Wesson Conner, Charlotte Wesson, Jane Wesson, and Frances Wesson. His brothers were Rufus Wesson Jr., Franklin Wesson, Martin Wesson, and Edwin Wesson (Daniel B. Wesson, Notable Names Database). Daniel attended public school until the age of 18, he then worked for his brother, Rufus Wesson until 1846 (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fitchetts Guns). Rufus was a gunsmith and the oldest brother (Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson Biography). He later started working with his other brother Frank Wesson (Daniel B. , Notable Names Database). He then worked as a gunsmith until his brother's death in 1850, Daniel then took over the business in association with another gunsmith (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fitchetts Guns).
Beginning of Career
When Daniel's associate retired, Daniel gave up on the business and was employed by Allen, Brown, and Luther. He met Horace Smith while working with that company (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fitchetts Guns). Horace Smith was born on October 28, 1808, in Cheshire, Massachusetts. His family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1812 (Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson Biography, How Products are Made). Daniel later focused on improving the metallic cartridge and repeating arms. Daniel and Horace worked together on the repeating arms from 1853 to 1855. Horace retired after his and daniels company was sold out to Volcanic Arms Company (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fitchetts Guns). The second and improved partnership of Daniel and Horace was formed in 1856. This partnership is what is now known as Smith and Wesson Corporation. (Daniel B. Wesson, Notable Names Database).
Adverse Effects
Daniel and Horace’s work of the repeating pistol was quickly recognized due to the fact that most guns were muzzle loaded. The pistol was nicknamed “The Volcanic”, later followed “The Volcanic Rifle” which was a repeating rifle (Daniel B. Wesson, Notable Names Database). Smith and Wesson was later in need of funds, Oliver Winchester, Rival of Smith and Wesson, bought the company and renamed it The Volcanic Arms Company. The first to retire was Horace, then followed Daniel. This was what people thought to be the end of Smith and Wesson, until Daniel and horace formed their second partnership (Daniel B. Wesson, Notable Names Database). Daniel created the metallic cartridge, after Daniel and Horace started their second partnership they worked on the metallic cartridge and improved it (Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson Biography, How Products are Made). Daniels creation of the revolver, or “Repeating Pistol” was also well known for the rotating cylinder that held the metallic cartridges, there were six spots in the revolver and each spot had a bullet/metallic cartridge, the spot would rotate into place with the barrel and it was ready to shoot (Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson Biography, How Products are Made).
Impact on the World
Before Daniel and Horace's work, most guns were muzzle loaded and unsafe because of accidental firings. Their work was a game changing and amazing addition to the firearms industry. Most of their weapons were repeating unlike the other muzzle loaded weapons (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fichetts Guns). The amount of power Daniels weapons had inspired him to create a safety feature that prevents accidental firings. That safety feature is included in almost every single firearm from a variety of different weapon manufacturing companies to this day (Daniel b. Wesson, Notable Names Database). Smith & Wessons weapons were quickly recognized and taken in by the military and authorities. Their weapons are used in warfare and are used by many officers. Authorities aren't the only people that use their weapons, many citizens own their firearms for self defense (Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson Biography, How Products Are Made).
Lessons Learned From Their Life
In conclusion, Daniel B. Wesson was a man devoted to his work. In his free time he would experiment and improve on his repeating pistol which soon became a huge success (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fichett’s Guns). Thanks to his persistence, he was able to get the partnership together multiple times. Daniel B. Wesson was the heart of Smith & Wesson. Wesson’s passion has shown me to not give up on my dreams and that I don't have to work on them alone. If it wasn't for his and Smith's partnership, more than half of his work would not have been possible (Daniel B. Wesson, Notable Names Database). Smith & Wessons work rocketed in the 1800’s and is still something that is used by millions today. Their work and partnership is still something that many look up to and use as an inspiration because of the change it made that is still in effect. Daniel's work completely changed the firearms industry and he didn't do it alone (Daniel B Wesson, Bev Fichetts Guns).