Any idea of the manufacture date of a Riverside Arms Co 12 gauge side by side with outside hammers serial 6123?

Post subject: Re: AMERICAN GUN CO. Don't know what kind of spec's you want, but the Crescent single shots were made in all guages and barrel lengths from 28 to 34" - pretty much whatever a retailer ordered. They had a whole bunch of names, at least 100 - again, whatever the retailer asked for.

A Mom-and-Pop store in Podunk Junction, Arkansas, could pay an extra $x.00 to have a roll stamp made up with their own name and Crescent would stamp it. The company was located in Norwich, CT. I have seen some claims that it was founded about 1888, but most experts quote 1893.

At least from 1893 the company was a subsidiary of H & D Folsom Sporting Goods of New York City. Folsom sold Crescent-made guns (and Belgian imports) in their own store and also wholesaled them out to other retailers and chains. Sometime in the 1920's Crescent purchased Davis-Warner Firearms and changed the company name to Crescent-Davis Arms.

In 1932 Crescent was purchased by Savage/Stevens. Crescent did make some rifles and revolvers, but the majority of their output was of utilitarian single and double barrel shotguns, very few of which are marked with the company name. Post subject: Re: AMERICAN GUN CO.

MarlandS wrote:It was made by Crescent for sale at H.D. Folsom stores probably prior to 1915 or so...is it a single barrel or double barrel? Post subject: Re: AMERICAN GUN CO. Not worth the expense of sending it back to the US.

Have no idea what it would bring in Italy. How much is $50-$75 in Euros or Lire? Post subject: Re: AMERICAN GUN CO.

Let me piggy back on this question, I just picked up a New York (Cresent Arms) Double BBl 16 Ga. It is in fair to good condition. There is no SN, just the manufacture's id number.

It has the Dog Ear (exposed) Hammers and the BBl is marked Armory Proofed Steel. I picked it up as a wall hanger for $150.00. The lock is tight and BBl is clean, I would be willing to shoot it without too much fear, what would be a good guestimate of it's value?

Second, I inherited another 16 Ga Double BBl. Made by the Springfield Arms Company of Chicopee Ma. My guess is it was manufactured in the mid 30's.

Since this gun was made in Chicopee Vs. Springfield is this actually a Stevens / Savage or other gun maker using the other company's name ie. Under contract for?

Again this one is fair to good. Any Idea of value? No, I don't have a thing for 16 ga double guns, I'm actually a rifle guy, these just fell in my lap.

Post subject: Re: AMERICAN GUN CO. I've seen Springfield Arms on a lot of lists of Crescent-made shotguns, but all the guns I've seen with that name were actually Stevens Model 311's. If your guns are in NRA Fair condition, they should be safe to shoot, since that phrase is part of the definition.

I'd suggest having them looked over by a competent gunsmith. Check the chamber length on the New York Arms, they may be only 2 1/2, but both guns are probably 2 3/4. Definitely will not be approved for steel shot.

$150 is about the top of the price range for an old double wallhanger, depending on where you are located and just how good it looks.