Henry Marcus Quackenbush (1847-1933) served an apprenticeship at the Remington Arms Company as a young man. At the age of 16 he invented the extension ladder (patent date October 22, 1867) and began manufacturing it.

His first gun patent, issued June 6, 1871, was for the "Eureka" air pistol. He produced his first air rifle in 1876. The rifle's spring/air design and its dedicated steam powered manufacturing plant were revolutionary. Many historians credit Quackenbush as the "father of the mass produced air gun".

The H.M. Quackenbush Company of Herkimer NY manufactured a variety of .22 caliber cartridge rifles, air guns, and air gun ammunition in .175 caliber, .21 caliber, .215 caliber, and .25 caliber. They no longer manufacture firearms but the HMQ Metal Finishing Group is still in business today.

John Groenewold is the author of Quackenbush Guns, the definitive work on the air rifles and firearms made by the H.M. Quackenbush Company beginning in the late 19th century. Mr. Groenewold offers parts and service for these and other air guns.