Originally Posted by ring3
WFC 150’s and 170’s (hope I got that right) came on some of the 340 models. Pretty cool sights although not as popular nor common as others. I believe Gene shared awhile back that the patent for them was established by William F Cobb ( again, working from memory.
Did you say William F. Cobb?... smile

William F. Cobb was born a blue-eyed redhead in 1895 to Irish immigrant parents James & Isabella Cobb in Utica, NY. He was the youngest of four siblings, James Jr., May, Thomas & William.

During the years from 1900-1920 Williams father James was a foreman at a water pipe foundry in Utica.

Per a draft application in 1917, 22 year old William was employed by Savage Arm Corp. as a tool maker. Later Cobb would add inventor to his resume.

A passport application dated July 1918 indicated William was to go abroad temporarily for a period of 3 months performing duties of citizenship in the countries of France and England by arrangement of the Ordnance Dept. of the United States of America. William F. Cobb traveled as a representative of Savage Arms Corp. for the Lewis Machine Gun. He made the return trip from Liverpool aboard the Adriatic on Dec. 1 1918 to the Port of New York and ultimately to his parents home at 2029 Bleeker St. Utica, NY which less than one mile from the Savage Arms plant.

The ID bracelet for the trip:

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

In 1920 Mr. Cobb was a foreman at Savage Arms Corp.

By 1922 Mr. Cobb resided in Putney, Vermont as a toolmaker and inventor.

October 1923 W.F. Cobb Tool Company was certified with the County as such.

In 1926 he married his wife Monica Irene McConnell in Putney, Vermont.

In 1928 Cobb returned to Utica and was operating W.F. Cobb Tool Company in at 2029 Bleeker Street.

In 1930 William and Monica were in Utica, NY with 2 yr. Old daughter Jean where he remained a tool maker at a tool factory.

In 1934 son William Jr. was born in Utica.

In 1939 William F. Cobb was widowed.

In 1940 William and family were in Utica at his private tool shop as a tool maker. Widowed at this time his residence was accompanied by his sister May and sister-in-law Alice McConnell to help care for his children Jean and William Jr. ages 12 & 6.

Like many companies in 1942 W. F. Cobb Co. had all the government work that 8 full time machinist could handle.

William Cobb continued to develop, produce and supply parts for Savage Arms Corp. Mainly gun sights (Savage model 150 & 175) for Savage Stevens rifles although he held patents for other items as well. This relationship proceeded into the 1950's.

In 1960 William F. Cobb retired.

William F. Cobb died in Utica in 1975 at age 80.


"Every day above ground is a good day."