What is information on the Folsom Arms Co?

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H&D Folsom was a large sporting goods retailer and distributor in New York City. They didn't manufacture any firearms, but from 1893 to 1930 they owned Crescent Firearms in Norwich, Ct. They also bought guns from other arms makers, especially Belgian manufacturers. Haven't ran across a W Richardson, but many of the Belgian imports were marked W Richards in an attempt to make buyers think they were getting a product of the English gunmaker, Westley Richards. I'm guessing that you have one of these. It probably has damascus or twist barrels and side hammers. A perfectly good utility gun when made, but after 100 years the barrels will have deteriorated and are probably no longer safe to use, and absolutely should NOT be used with modern ammunition.

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I bought a Folsom Arms import at auction, highly engraved, with "Rowland Watson" as part of the engraving. It was imported from England with English proof marks. I'd appreciate any information or educated guesses as to what I have.

• You might look into this a bit closer. Does it have British or Belgian proofmarks? There is an English gunmaker using the W Richards mark. The Belgian knockoffs with this name are usually junk but these are not. The company now trades as W Richards (Liverpool) Ltd at 10a The Pavement, Pocklington, York, Yorkshire, YO42 2AX; Tel: 01759 305088 Fax: 01759 368559. Some records are available.

First answer by ID0000000000. Last edit by All Hat No Horse. Contributor trust: 1341 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 181 [recommend question]