James Henry Burton,Master Armorer

Matthew W. Norman, M.D.

Atlanta, Georgia

www.csarmory.org

James Henry Burton(August 17, 1823 –October 18, 1894)

Rev. John L. Norman homestead of 1860s

Cross Keys, Union County,South Carolina

Here it is in 1981.

Reese Helm Butler(Born 1833 inHarpers Ferry, VirginiaDied 1886 in Gainesville, Georgia)

Frank F. Burton

Born 1871, Winchester, Virginia

Worked at Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

Holder of patents

James H. Burton

Described by one of his son’s as “of medium height, rather spare, very erect, military bearing and quick in movement.” He also “spoke seven languages, French particularly fluently. . . .”

JH Burton

“[He] was somewhat choleric and could use profanity effectively when necessary, but anything approaching obscenity in his hearing was taboo.” He was also an “accomplished musician . . . on the violin and piano.”

Frank F. Burton, “Personal characteristics of J.H. Burton,” 5 December 1940, Burton Papers.

Born Shannondale Springs, Virginiaon August 17, 1823

Growing up

Educated at West Chester Academy in West Chester, PA- recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s leading prep schools

Apprenticed at a Baltimore machine shop from 1839 – 1844- Baltimore was home to the B&O railroad and other industry

Married Cornelia Frances Mauzy in May 1844- dau of George Mauzy (Clerk to Superintendent of Armories, Harpers Ferry)

First son, Charles M., born February 1845

U.S. Armory, Harpers Ferry

Probably hired in 1843- he was married in May 1844 – had to court young Ms. Mauzy

Hired by Major Henry K. Craig, Supt of Armories- machinist at Hall’s Rifle Works

Promoted in 1845 to foreman of Rifle Works machine shop- made $2.25 per 10-hour day (or $0.225 per hour)

Also, became Assistant Inspector- reported to Master Armorer Benjamin Moor

Promoted to Acting Master Armorer in November 1849- salary $800 per annum, house, & cord of wood

Got caught up in politics – Whig vs. Democrat in 1853/54- President Pierce (Democrat) and Secy War J. Davis passed over Burton and

demoted to Master Machinist

Burton drawings

The Burton bullet

New rifle musket ball caliber 58-inch. This final version of the Minie bullet resulted from experiments conducted by James H. Burton at the Harpers Ferry Armory during the early 1850s.

Minnie rifle bullet and Bullet for a la tige musket. The bullet on the left has a cup that fit into a hallowed out recess, designed to expand the bullet into the barrel rifling.

Post-Harpers Ferry

Burton resigned May 22, 1854 – effective May 31, 1854- left and went to Springfield Armory in Mass.

Worked U.S. Armory at Springfield until March 1855- hired by Jas T. Ames of Ames Manufacturing Co. of Chicopee

Ames Manufacturing Co was making machines for British- see sword

British had declared war in March 1854 (Crimean War)- Burton had sought employment in May 6, 1854 (before his resignation)

Position of Superintendent – Asst Engineer, RSAF- salary 400 pounds per annum, house, & expenses, 5 yr contract

Moved with family of 6 children to Enfield Lock

Royal Small Arms Factory

Enfield, England

Burton in Enfield

Burton started in 1855 - worked as Superintendent – Assistant Engineer

Promoted to Chief Engineer- 1200 employees under his charge

Primarily responsible for Enfield P1853- manufacturing over 75,000 rifles per year

RSAF was the Gold standard for small-arms manufacturing- with a tolerance of 3/1000 of an inch

Resigned in August 1860 citing health reasons- privately told others he was not valued the way he thought he should be

Back to the U.S. – pre-war

Burton had travelled back to US in December 1858- left son in Illinois, asked Eugenia to marry him while in HF

Returned to US again in April 1859- married Eugenia Mauzy

Impact of John Brown’s Raid in Harpers Ferry- October 1859 – Mauzy letters

Moved back to US in October 1860

Hired as consultant by J. R. Anderson & Co- Tredegar Iron Works with eyes towards rebuilding Virginia Armory for state

Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in Virginia Ordnance Dept- later transferred to C.S. Ordnance Department

Questions or commentsFeel free to email them to:

norman@atlantapsychiatry.com