https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/search/pages/results/?date1=01%2F01%2F1725&date2=12%2F31%2F2016&sequence=&lccn=&state=&rows=20&ortext=&proxtext=Hunter+Arms+Company&year=&phrasetext=&andtext=&proxValue=&dateFilterType=range&page=1&sort=relevance
Unfortunately I don't get any matches for "L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Guns", which might provide confirmation of the dates for L.C.'s acquisition of W.H. Baker & Co. in 1880, and the details of the Hunter's agreement to acquire "L.C. Smith Maker of Baker Guns, Syracuse N.Y." in 1888.
We all agree that guns were made in Syracuse until the new factory was completed in Fulton. It is not clear as to who profited from the sale of those guns - L.C. or the Hunters? And who was managing the Syracuse factory?
Based on this, the actual sale of "L.C. Smith Maker" did not occur until November, 1889 as the move to Fulton was (likely) taking place (and completed in January 1890.)
Wyoming County Times, November 28, 1889
Syracuse, Nov. 20 – Lyman C. Smith has sold a controlling in the L.C. Smith gun works, of this city, manufacturers of hammerless guns, to John Hunter and his five sons, and Harry Comstock of Fulton, and the works will be moved to Fulton immediately. The new firm will be known as the Hunter & Comstock Arms company and will have the largest gun manufacturing plant in the United States.
And we all agree that "Syracuse style" unfinished guns and parts were shipped to the new factory in Fulton for completion, and were available until about 1892.
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