From the Richmond Dispatch, 1/28/1861, p. 1, c. 6

The State Armory. – Repairs, alterations and additions are now being made to the Armory, in order to fit it for the reception of the machinery and implements, which Messrs. J. R. Anderson & Co., have contracted to put therein, (save the barrel-rolling machine,) sufficient to fabricate 5,000 muskets per annum, at a cost of $156,590.40. The Armory, by the terms of the contract, is to go into operation on the 1st of December, 1861. The officers who formerly had quarters there, have long since been compelled to remove from the building. The workmen will have the privilege of using the patterns in the Government armories, in making muskets for the State, a privilege that, to some extent, expedities work and guarantees its quality. About $380,000 will be required “to put the ball in motion,” manufacturing 10,000 per annum for two years. The appropriation for that purpose being only $320,000, the sale of a portion of the large number of worthless smooth-bored muskets owned by the State was necessary. Mr. Salmon Adams, of the Springfield Armory, is Master Armorer. Besides his knowledge and experience, he will be aided by that of Mr. Jas. H. Burton, a native of the State, and late Master Armorer at Enfield, England, who has been engaged by Messrs. Anderson & Co. The arms mostly to be manufactured are muskets, conforming in their interior to those of the United States, and in its exterior to the Enfield musket, with some changes for the better from both. The model musket was made at the Springfield Armory, by Mr. Adams, by permission of the Unites States authorities. What change in the direction of affairs may be made by the recent law appropriating one million of dollars for State defence, remains to be seen.

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