Mill Record Middlefield

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Disclaimer: Content for these properties was compiled in 2014-2017 from a variety of sources and is subject to change. Updates are occasionally made under Property Information, however the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation (dba Preservation Connecticut) makes no representation or warranty that the information is complete or up-to-date.

Complex Name (Common)
Lyman Gun Scope Co.
Complex Name (Historic)
  • Lyman Gun Scope Co.
Address or Location
104 Baileyville Road, Middlefield
County
Middlesex
Historic Designation
Associated Mill Community
n/a
Historic Information

Companies Associated w/Complex

  • Lyman Gun Scope Co. 1928-c.1978

Use (Historic)

Largest Documented Workforce

Unknown.

Historic Narrative

In 1928, William Lyman (who founded the Lyman Gun Sight Corp., housed in the adjacent factory) purchased the scope rights for the A5 telescopic sight from Winchester Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, acquiring all drawings, machinery and tools used in its manufacture. The next year, he bought those of J. Stevens Tool and Arms Co. of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, founded in 1864, which primarily manufactured rifles, and moved the scope operations into an old mill along Ellen Doyle Brook. The Winchester A5 was renamed the Lyman 5A, and although this scope was used on military rifles, Lyman sought to develop improved gun scopes for competitive shooting and hunting. The firm also provided repair and parts services for the former Winchester A5 scopes. A 1945 addition was designed with an early form of clean room for the assembly of the scopes. The company's most successful product was the Targetspot, developed in 1938, used on Winchester Model 52 Target Rifles, and sold through 1978.

Architectural Information

Number of Existing Buildings

Two blocks.

Dates of Construction

c.1850, 1945

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

Architectural Description

Early three story post and beam mill (approx. 30 ft by 40 ft) along brook has 1945 wood frame addition (approx. 30 ft by 50 ft) on its southern side with second story glass block ribbon windows. Dam and pond survive.

Exterior Material(s)

Structural System(s)

Roof Form

Roof Material

Power Source

Condition

Fair, Deteriorated

Condition Notes

n/a

Property Information

Specific Location

One 8.1 acre parcel on the east side of Baileyville Road opposite West Street intersection, including mill pond and dam.

Adjacent To

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

n/a

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

Acreage

8.1

Use (Present)

Sources

Form Completed By

Renée Tribert

Date

November 2014

Bibliography

  1. Lyman Centennial Journal 1878-1978 (Middlefield CT: Lyman Publications, 1978).
Representative View(s)Click on image to view full file



Photographer

n/a

Photography Date

November 2014