5

AUT

O-ORDNANCE GREENWICH, CONN

T

OOL

 DIVISION

When Russell Maguire bought Auto-Ordnance and started to establish the first factory at Bridgeport, Conn., the

clouds of war were already plainly visible. Maguire realized that one of the problems with his production needs

was going to be finding and hiring skilled tool makers and craftsman. Without tool makers nothing would be

made in the factory.

His solution was to buy an existing company in Bridgeport named The Willard Tool Company. The company

was owned by George Johnson and was located at 54 Brothwell Street in Bridgeport. (credit Bill Menosky/1943

Bridgeport Post) Buying Willard Tool allowed the Bridgeport facility to quickly begin production of the gages

and tooling necessary for the production of Thompson Submachine Guns.

As described in the Iron Age Article (reprinted in the Ultimate Thompson Book page 238.) :

The gauge-making department is separate from the tool shop, though adjacent to it. Much of the equipment here is

new, including a thread grinder and a battery of small surface grinders. Many of the inspection gauges made here

BACK, FRONT

 

AND SIDE

VIEWS OF

 

THE

THOMPSON MILLING FIXTURE.