Eliphalet Remington Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Eliphalet Remington II was an American entrepreneur and firearm manufacturer. Born on October 28, 1793, he is the founder of E. Remington U.M.C. currently known as Remington Arms Co. LLC. The company has gone under several name change including E. Remington & Son and then E. Remington and Sons. The company grew to become one of the leading military and commercial arms manufacturer in the United States. It is known as the oldest firearm manufacturer in the United States.

Early Life

Eliphalet Remington II was born on October 28, 1793, in Suffield, Connecticut in the United States, as the second child of Eliphalet and Elizabeth (Kilbourn) Remington. He had three other siblings and was the only son of his parents. His father was a blacksmith and growing up young Remington became very interested in the profession and later joined his father in the trade. He started working at a family owned rural forge in Ilion, Herkimer County, New York.

Career

The Beginning of Remington Company

Working with his father at the forge, Eliphalet Remington II manufactured a flintlock rifle by using a firing mechanism he had bought from a gunsmith but made the barrel himself. The hand-made riffle gained the attraction of many, and with high demand, he decided to manufacture in commercial quantity. He then founded the riffle-barrel manufacturing company in 1816. Remington started working with his first son Philo and in 1828, built a factory near the Erie Canal, presently in Ilion, New York.

Together with his son, Eliphalet Remington II made several improvements in the arms they produced including manufacturing the first cast-steel dried riffle barrel in the United States. During the 1940’s at age 47, all his three sons became involved in the family business leading renaming of the company to E. Remington and Sons. He headed the company until his death in 1861. During the outbreak of the American Civil War, the company made thousands of arms for the Union Army. The company became very successful and commercially viable becoming Remington U.M.C in 1910.

By 1935, it had become Remington Arms Company, one of the leading arms manufacturing company in the United States. Some of the notable firearms produced by the company include the Model 1100 semiautomatic shotgun, the Model 700 bolt-action rifle and the Model 870 pump-action shotgun among others.

Personal Life

Eliphalet Remington married Abigail Paddock with whom he had three sons. They include Eliphalet Remington III, Philo Remington, and Samuel Remington. All the children followed in the footsteps of their father into the family business. Remington died on August 12, 1861, in Ilion, New York