Smith Carona 1903 returning to birthplace

durrnig WW2 as many of you already probably know, Smith Carona Typerwriter Co produced 1903 Rifles. A friend of mine returning from the Army just picked one up in perfect original condition. We both live in Rochester NY, where the gun was most likely Manufactured, they did produce some in Syracuse and Cortland I believe, but would anyone know where to find the adress of the Rochester NY Facility? I'm sure it is in the hands of another company or abandoned by now, but I would like to bring her by (permission of owner of property) to the spot from whence they came, I plan to do a Documentary on the Rifles we both own from WW2. Thanks in advance, when completed, it will be available for viewing and linked.

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Originally Posted by EnfieldNutt84

durrnig WW2 as many of you already probably know, Smith Carona Typerwriter Co produced 1903 Rifles. A friend of mine returning from the Army just picked one up in perfect original condition. We both live in Rochester NY, where the gun was most likely Manufactured, they did produce some in Syracuse and Cortland I believe, but would anyone know where to find the adress of the Rochester NY Facility? I'm sure it is in the hands of another company or abandoned by now, but I would like to bring her by (permission of owner of property) to the spot from whence they came, I plan to do a Documentary on the Rifles we both own from WW2. Thanks in advance, when completed, it will be available for viewing and linked.

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Not 100% sure of the number but the address of the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriter Company looks like it was 605 East Washington Street Syracuse, NY. Its from a picture of a 1928 Catalog so the image is not completely clear on the PC.

here is some history and more is available from wiwkipedia. Courtlandville apparently did not enter the picture until much later maybe the 60's
Smith Corona: Information from Answers.com

Regards,

Jim

Found an add in Life magazine - Feb 5, 1940

L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters Inc.
142 Almond St. Syracuse, NY

I read somewhere else the building was located at the intersection of Almond and Washington Streets

Heres the link-

LIFE - Google Books

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Originally Posted by Mike D

Found an add in Life magazine - Feb 5, 1940

L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters Inc.
142 Almond St. Syracuse, NY

I read somewhere else the building was located at the intersection of Almond and Washington Streets

Heres the link-

LIFE - Google Books

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Looks like we have it bracketed Mike. 142 Almond is basically on the east side of the same block which is 600 Washington on the south.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) it appears the entire plant area is now devoted to a huge interchange of I-81 and I-690.

Regards,

Jim

Thanks for the info, personally i think the highway could have gone elsewhere lol but it is interesting, I have found one source so far stating production also in Rochester. Syracuse got a lot of attention being also the business HQ, its a shame my city doesnt care about its history, we created jell-o, paintball, Kodak, 1 of 2 rivers which flow North, the worlds first indoor mall (scheduled to be demolished now) and the worlds smallest subway (being filled in ) just before our Aqueduct on the erie canal, lol, breath.

In early 1942, Smith-Corona Typewriter Company also began production of the M1903A3 at its plant in Rochester, NY. Smith/Corona parts are usually identified by the absence of markings (Smith/Corona bolts are sometimes marked with an "X" on top of the bolt handle root). To speed production output, two-groove rifled barrels were adopted, and steel alloy specifications were relaxed under 'War Emergency Steel' criteria for both rifle actions and barrels.[7] M1903A3 rifles with two-groove 'war emergency' barrels were shipped with a printed notation stating that the reduction in rifling grooves did not affect accuracy.[8] As the war progressed, various machining and finishing operations were eliminated on the M1903A3 in order to increase production levels.[9]

WWII US sniper:D on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

"two-groove rifled barrels were adopted"-- well, sort of. Remington did so, but S-C did not. 99.99% of S-C barrels were either 6 or 4 groove. Perhaps a very few rare 2 groove barrels are known.

I have found no evidence to indicate that Smith-Corona rifles were manufactured or assembled in Rochester, NY. As I recall, the Smith-Corona plant where M'03-A3's were manufactured and assembled was located in Syracuse, NY.

Did I miss something?

J.B.

EnfieldNutt84,
When I received an SC 03a3 from the CMP I understood that they were made in Syracuse. If you are interested in a Rochester made WWII rifle go to the CMP web site and order a National Postal Meter M1 carbine. They were assembled in Rochester during the war. I'm also located in the Rochester area and have an interest in NY made weapons.

Dave

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Originally Posted by John Beard

I have found no evidence to indicate that Smith-Corona rifles were manufactured or assembled in Rochester, NY. As I recall, the Smith-Corona plant where M'03-A3's were manufactured and assembled was located in Syracuse, NY.

Did I miss something?

J.B.

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No, you didn't. The citation was lifted from a somewhat flawed :madsmile:account of the 03 familiy on Wikipedia.

We(the members of this group) should probably edit the wiki article :beerchug:

Regards,

Jim