Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Black Horse Garage c.2005-present
• Moore Special Tool Co. c.1939-possibly 1994

Use (Historic)

• Machine Tools, Machinery

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Quoted from company website: Founded in 1924 in Bridgeport, Connecticut by Richard F. Moore, the Company has remained true to his standards of mechanical excellence. In 1974, the American Machinist magazine awarded Richard Moore their prestigious AM Award and described him as the man who 'gave the world’s industry an additional decimal place of accuracy!' Moore started out as a tool and die company, but soon, Mr. Moore realized that the machinery he needed to work to close tolerances was not available. Early in the 1930’s, Mr. Moore developed a jig borer for his own work and that of fellow die makers; these machines were the first to utilize the famous Moore lead screw and double-vee construction. As tool and die making progressed in the 1940’s, the Company added the jig grinder to grind hardened steel components. Before long, measuring machines were added to the product line to inspect the higher accuracy parts manufactured on Moore jig borers and jig grinders. Mr. Moore understood the underlying engineering principles necessary to build high precision equipment. He collaborated with a wide range of University researchers, as well as government and private laboratory scientists around the world to refine these mechanical design principles. Perhaps most importantly, he was able to train others to use these principles and apply the craft skills necessary to generate the geometry that was so uniquely 'Moore Quality.' Over the years, many different machine applications were developed that took advantage of the superior Moore geometry and stability. Ruling engines and diamond turning machines were two prominent examples of Moore geometry. Over 6,000 jig borers and 8,000 jig grinders have been manufactured, most of which are still in use today. In addition, several hundred ultra-precision special machines have been designed and built by the Moore to serve a wide range of industries including optics, aerospace, and defense. In 1994, the Moore Special Tool Company (now located at 800 Union Avenue, former location of Bridgeport Projectile, just north of this site) and its European subsidiary, Moore Special Tool AG were acquired and became part of the PMT Group. The PMT Group is the parent of three operating companies – Moore Tool Company, Inc., Moore Nanotechnology Systems, LLC, and the Producto Corporation. Moore Nanotechnology Systems, LLC. is dedicated to the development of ultra-precision machinery for diamond turning, deterministic grinding systems and glass press molding equipment, in the production of advanced plano, spherical, aspheric, conformal, and freeform optics. Sectors primarily include consumer electronics, defense, aerospace, lighting, medical, and automotive. In 2009, construction of a new 36,000 state-of-the-art facility was completed in Swanzey, New Hampshire and all operations from the original Keene facility were successfully transferred in December of that same year. Producto Corporation is an industry leader in precision tooling and services for the metals forming, plastics forming and original equipment manufacturing industries. Ring Precision, a part of Producto Corporation, manufactures precision hardened and ground parts from various tool and stainless steels, powdered metals, as well as carbide. Typical parts include die and mold components and precision-machined OEM components. Ring Precision is located in Jamestown, New York. Black Horse Garage has occupied the site since at least 2005 and restores and services antique cars.

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

c.1940, c.1960

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

n/a

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 1.51 acre parcel on the east side of Union Avenue north of Connecticut Avenue

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 37/ 725/ 7/A / Link →

Acreage

1.51

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Industrial
• Other: Moore Special Tool Co. retains operations; Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises (a mattress recycler) moving in 2019

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. Moore Tool Co. website.