This is another one of those gun companies that few have heard of. Kodiak Manufacturing Company.
It is funny that few have heard of this company, yet they manufactured the 1st .22 Magnum Semi-Auto Rifle, known as the model 260.
Our story starts in Hartford in 1957. Colt's Manufacturing was working on a new line of rifles, originally called the "57s". Theses high powered rifles would not be produced by Colt, instead they were assembled using actions provided by Firearms International Corp. Firearms International was a D.C. based importer of FN, Sako and other European arms.
The larger calibers used FN Mauser model 300 actions and the smaller calibers used the Sako L57 actions.
The rifles would be assembled by an outside company called Jefferson Manufacturing. The company was run by former Colt or Winchester employees.
I could not find if Colt set up the new company using former Winchester employees who were recruited away or if the employees left Colt and or Winchester and started the company. The Winchester connection does seem plausible as the Kodiak model 260 rifle does bear a resemblance to the Winchester models 190 and 290 rifles.
In late 1958 the new line of rifles was announced and given a new name: "The Coltsman". The rifles came in 3 grades, standard, deluxe and custom in 4 calibers: 243 Win, 308 Win, 30-06 Springfield and 300 Win Mag.
Production lasted for 1 year (1959) and enough rifles were built to supply Colt until 1962.
Jefferson Manufacturing attempted to market and sell their own branded rifles but were unsuccessful and in 1963 they sold out and the company was renamed Kodiak.
Kodiak produced a short run of Coltsman rifles for Colt in 1963 in 2 grades (standard and custom) in 5 calibers: .222 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win, .308 Win, .264 Win Mag and 30-06 Springfield. All built on Sako actions.
During this time Kodiak was working on a new rimfire rifle, not just any rimfire rifle, but the first .22 Magnum semi-auto rifle.
They called in the model 260, they also made a .22 LR version for Colt called the "Colteer-4-22".
Kodiak also made a pump action shotgun.
In 1965 Colt removed the Coltsman series from their catalogs, the following year, Kodiak closed their doors.
What Remains:
The Jefferson/Kodiak factory was located on the corner of Quinnipiac Ave and McDermott Road (112 Quinnipiac Ave.).
The building still stands and is now occupied by Airgas Company.
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