[Kirk Keller]

Here's what I've uncovered...

The Company:

In 1882, Clarence Hamilton, being a businessman and owner of a small building in Plymouth, Mi. got together with investors and started the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company. The iron windmill business went nowhere, lasting only a few years. Before the plant and business fully closed, Clarence went in partnership with a friend who had invented an all-metal air rifle. At that time only wooden air rifles existed.

In 1895 the Iron Windmill plant was producing more air rifles then Windmills. While manufacturing air rifles, Clarence had ideas of manufacturing low cost boys’ rifles and began to design inexpensive methods of manufacturing rifle barrels and rifles. At that time, .22 cal. rifles were referred to as Boys’ rifles because of their size. In 1898, Clarence sold his portion of the air rifle business (later know as the Daisy air rifle company) and the Iron Windmill company. The two companies moved out and the Hamilton Rifle Company of Plymouth, Michigan was born. At the same time Clarence's son, Coello completed tool and die training. Two years later Clarence died and Coello took over the business.

From 1898-1945 the Hamilton’s invented and manufactured good quality affordable .22 cal. rifles. There were 14 different models, retail cost averaging $2.00-$ 5.00 per rifle. Other rifle companies where charging $10.00 and up per rifle. In addition to the rifles low selling price, good marketing and advertising made the Hamilton Rifle Company the most popular and successful boys’ rifle company of its time.

Retail Company’s who sold products such as magazines, costume Jewelry, etc. door to door would use the Hamilton rifle as a promotion, offering a free rifle to those who made their quota. Feed Companies promoting their products would randomly place a rifle in feed sacks. If you where lucky enough to buy the right sack, you got a free rifle.

In the early 1900s, boys who were short on money would unsuccessfully try to repair the worn or broken firing pins and/or locking mechanism themselves, instead of taking them to a gun smith. Due to this practice and other factors, an estimated 99.9% of the million Hamilton rifles produced are in Rifle Heaven, which makes the existing good condition rifles very good collectable items.

During WW II (1942) the company stopped rifle production and made parts for the war effort. In 1945, after the war, boys’ rifles lost their popularity and the company closed its doors.


The Rifle:

The rifle is a Boys rifle called "The Hamilton Rifle Model 27". It's chambered for .22 short or long, but not long rifle. The second date is indeed the date of manufacture.

The Model 27 was the most popular of all Hamilton rifles. It is called a tip –up model. To load, the hammer is first put to half cock, the small bolt, is turned upwards, and the barrel will then tip-up. Early model barrels were brass lined and later were made with steel liners. The barrel lengths vary from 14 7/8”to 16”. The frame is made of stamped steel and then blued. The stock is a flat board type with slightly rounded edges. Birch was used and stained to a walnut finish.
SPECIFICATIONS:

Mechanism Type: Barrel opens like a double barrel shotgun

Weight: 2 1/2 lbs.

Caliber: .22 short and long

Length: 31”

Barrel length: 14 7/8”-16”

Mfd. Date’s: 1905-?

App. Mfd.: 500,000