Gadsden Arms

Gadsden Arms is a service member owned and operated firearms dealer and manufacturing company also specializing in Cerakote ™ and gunsmithing services, based out of Rochester, New York. We are proud to say that all of our products will always be manufactured in the great USA!

We have chosen the name Gadsden Arms, based on the Gadsden Flag created in 1775 by American general and statesman Christopher Gadsden. With our strong notion on American patriotism and constitutional foundation, there was no better option. We have placed importance on the rattlesnake from the Gadsden flag because of its symbolism of early America during the revolutionary war as well as portrays meaningful values on firearms ownership. The rattlesnake will never initiate a hostile engagement, but once stepped on, retaliates with deadly force. Hence the term “Dont Tread on me!”.

“I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shown and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of stepping on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?”
Benjamin Franklin, “The American Guesser” December 27th, 1775