History 21 The Podcast - 1.11 Federal Project
As the Federal Premium Ammunition started nearing its 100th anniversary in 2022, they looked toward preserving their business history with the Anoka County Historical Society. In this episode, JJ Reich, Press Relations Manager at Federal, and Don Johnson, ACHS Staff, talk about Federal’s upcoming anniversary and the partnership between Federal and ACHS to preserve and tell the story of this business in our county. How and where were the artifacts found? What items are in the collection and how will the public be able to see it all?
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Federal Cartridge Corporation, Anoka, MN. Undated.
Federal Premium Ammunition
How it started:
The Anoka County Historical Society is helping Federal Premium/Vista Outdoor with their historical materials in part because the Anoka-based ammunition company will be reaching its 100th anniversary in 2022, marking a century since the Federal Cartridge Corporation, as led by Charles L. Horn, began its many decades of successful business. But that was not the first year that the ammunition company known as Federal came into being — for that, 1916 is the year we want.
It is no secret that Charles Horn bought and revived a company that was not successful in its first attempt. But it is one thing to know that part of the Federal story, and another to see some of the documentation of those earlier years.
As some may know, the company was originally founded (with offices in Minneapolis and factory in Anoka) as the Federal Cartridge & Machine Company. The Articles of Incorporation were signed on October 12, 1916, and stated that the “general nature of its business shall be the manufacturing of all kinds of machines and mechanical devices and appliances, including parts and accessories of all kinds; also all kinds of all fire-arms and ammunition, and the doing of all acts incidental or essential to the lines of manufacturing herein enumerated.” Shares of stock were sold to help fund the company.
A formal purchase agreement between the new Federal Cartridge & Machine Company and the International Machine & Tool Corporation was not long after on October 30, 1916, indicating that Federal would purchase “the machinery for the manufacture of cartridges as set forth in schedule attached hereto,” and laying out the details for when those machines would be produced and delivered to Anoka. The list of purchased machinery includes two sections, one for “shells” and one for “bullets,” and listed machinery consists of various kinds of presses, a shell end trimmer, a piercing and priming machine, a slug cutter, and a swaging machine, among others.
A newspaper article from the Anoka Herald dated Jan. 9, 1917, provides further interesting information. It begins by stating that “Mr. Sherman of the Federal Cartridge & Machine Co. presented to a Herald representative Friday, the first shell made in Anoka by that company.” The article goes on to say that the shell was made at “the company’s shop on Second avenue.” The factory at the location we are familiar with today was under construction at that time, but rather than wait to begin all manufacturing, the company’s “preliminary work is all being done at the downtown shop.” An artist’s illustration of the factory, which closely matches the original factory once it was built, was included in the newspaper. The article ends by indicating that the factory was anticipated to be done in April 1917.
By October of 1917 the company changed its name to Federal Cartridge Company, as indicated by a stock certificate issued at that time. This certificate for 10 shares was purchased by “W. H. and A.M. Hoffman,” and signed by company officers Todd Lewis and Paul Seidel. That name continued in use for the next few years, showing up on another supply order as well as a plant inventory, both dated late 1918.
Even with the reorganization, however, Federal Cartridge Company in this first life was unable to succeed. The story of Anoka’s ammunition plant was not over, however. In 1922 Charles L. Horn, originally looking to purchase some machinery from the Anoka plant, was convinced to take over the entire, nearly defunct company, which became Federal Cartridge Corporation. Almost 100 years later, his successful efforts are still going strong.
History 21: The Vault Extras
Listen to Don Johnson & JJ Reich’s full interview
Employees of Federal Cartridge Corporation, Anoka, Minn, March 1925.
Shooting range on Federal property.
Mortar primer production, undated.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
United States Infantry Weapons of the First World War by Bruce N. Canfield - 355.8242 CAN
Called “the book to end all books about the war to end all wars,” Bruce N. Canfield’s guide to the weapons of WWI is considered by many to be definitive. Containing information not only about firearms but explosives, flamethrowers, and bladed weapons, this book is a handy reference for all your WWI weapons questions, and a go-to guide for collector’s notes as well.
Guns & Ammo Magazine is one of our more popular magazines for the shooting enthusiast. Since 1958, it has covered firearms across the spectrum, with information about hunting, competitive shooting, and other activities.
Gun Safety in the Home by Massad F. Ayoob - 683.4 AYO
An essential resource for people who own firearms for recreation or for work. Learn how to store and secure your weapons to protect your family, as well as how to talk to children about firearms in a way that instills a respect and understanding of them.
For this next book we change gears to a different kind of weapon – the foam kind! This handy modification guide has all the information you need to take your NERF Blaster game to the next level. Not only does it provide instructions for modifying your NERF guns, but gives ideas for fantasy and sci-fi inspired paint jobs as well.
Covering the modern era too, Fowler’s book provides an overview of the many different kinds of revolver, pistols, and submachine guns being used all over the world today. Organized by country of manufacture, this book describes the weapons’ development, use in battle, and popularity, as well as technical information.
Annie Oakley by Charles Wills - J921 OAK WIL
Another book by DK, this biography of legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley is perfect for kids of all ages. Filled with wonderful photographs and illustrations, a timeline, and a vocabulary list, this book for young readers provides a fascinating look at an American icon.
Firearms: An Illustrated History by DK Smithsonian - 683.4 FIR (at Columbia Heights Library)
DK Smithsonian books are renowned for their gorgeous illustrations and photography, and Firearms: An Illustrated History is no different. Learn about the evolution of the modern firearm with this book, which informs about the history of guns and the most influential gun makers, accompanied by fantastic photographs.
Ammo and Ballistics 5 by Bob Forker - 683.406 FOR
Maybe you are a hunter or a collector of firearms, and have found yourself wondering about ammunition. The Ammo and Ballistics series by Bob Forker covers 190 handgun and rifle calibers by manufacturer, bullet weight, type, and construction. With over 1,400 tables full of ballistic data, everything you need to know about ammunition can be find here.
House of Penance by Peter Tomasi - GRAPHIC TOM
When firearms magnate William Wirt Winchester passed away, his wife Sarah found herself terrified, haunted by the spirits of those who had lost their lives to her husband’s guns. Whether Sarah was actually haunted is up for debate, but she certainly *believed* she was, and legend has it that she believed just as strongly that as long as construction was kept up on the house, she would be safe from vengeful ghosts. As a result, the building now known as the Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling building, full of secret passageways, upper-story doors that open to the outside, and staircases that lead nowhere. Peter Tomasi’s graphic novel explores this strange story in comic form.