Wesson, Daniel Baird (1825–1906)

US gunsmith. After serving an apprenticeship with his brother, he engaged in the making of firearms. His long association with Horace Smith (1853–55, 1857–73) was profitable for both men; they patented a new type of repeating pistol in 1854 and the Smith and Wesson revolver in 1857. After Smith's retirement in 1873, Wesson worked alone (1873–83) and then brought two of his sons into the business. Wesson's most notable achievement was his development of the first metal cartridge used in ordnance, which made possible the introduction of breech-loading rifles. Wesson was born in Worcester, Massachusetts.