Your request for information on Russell and Erwin has landed on my desk.
According to one source the beginning of the company is in 1835 when five
partners formed the New Britain Lock Factory Brass and Bell  Foundry.  One of
these partners was Emmanuel Russell.  In 1839 some of partners withdrew and
Emmanuel Russell transferred his interest to his son, Henry E. Russell.
Cornelius B. Erwin joined the partnership at this time.  The company then became
Stanley Russell and Company.  In 1840 F.T. Stanley withdrew from the partnership
and Smith Matteson joined.  In 1841 John K. Bowen joined the company and the
name was changed to Matteson, Russell and Company.  In 1845 Matteson's capital
was withdrawn from the company, since he had died in 1842, and Bowen also
withdrew from the company.  The company was reorganized in January 1846 as
Russell and Erwin and the first catalogue was issued in 1849.

The source for this information is:

McAninch, Walter H.
1996
The Builders Hardware Industry 1830s to 1990s.  The Ballard Locks Publishing
Co., Seattle.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy, the publisher's mailing address is:

Box C 79005
Seattle, WA  98119-3185

Sincerely,

Peter J. Priess