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U.S. Single Barrel Shotgun Identification

82K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  Drew Hause 
#1 · (Edited)
Identification of pre-WWI single barrel shotguns is complicated by the evolution of models and design, and the hundreds of tradenames associated with guns by Crescent, J. Stevens, and others.

Good examples of the difficulty in establishing ID
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 0&start=60
and
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 0&start=60

A list of tradenames may be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id ... GIhfguSXXQ
and by Joseph Vorisek. Please note that patent dates may also be used to ID the gunmaker.
http://www.cornellpubs.com/free-files/S ... rtrait.pdf

"Long Tom" singles
Long Tom Unknown manufacturer | Shotgun Forum (shotgunworld.com)

Particular attention should be given to:
1. The shape of the receiver; straight or sculpted.
2. The shape of the rear of the receiver; straight, curved or rebated.
3. The number and position of the pins and screws in the receiver.
4. Presence and style of take down levers, screws or pins.
5. Extractor or ejector.
6. Round or pistol grip (usually with a grip cap) stock; presence of checkering.
7. Markings on the barrel
"CHOKE BORED" was used by Meriden and J. Stevens
"12 GA CHOKE" by Harrington & Richardson
"PROOF TESTED __ GAUGE" and "BARREL AND LUG FORGED IN ONE PIECE" by Stevens
"- __ GAUGE - CHOKE BORE - BARREL AND LUG FORGED IN ONE" by Iver Johnson

Wood Font Grave Art Cemetery


"MADE IN U.S.A." appeared after 1933

Starting about 1937 chamber length was marked

Building Automotive tire Grey Wood Font


Brown Rectangle Font Metal Wood



Barrels are commonly marked with a steel name:
1. Crescent and A.J. Aubrey used "Armory Steel"
2. J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co.
No. 97 with a barrel take-down pin was marked "Triplett Steel"
No. 100, 110, 105, 107, 115 & 125 singles were listed with "Electro Steel"; post-1916 No. 105 had "Compressed Forged Steel". The No. 165 singles in 1912 also had "Electro Steel".
In 1902 the No. 120 hammer & 180 hammerless single had "Pyro-Electro Steel".
The No. 85 single Extra Heavy Breech "Dreadnaught" in the 1913 catalog was listed with "Compressed Forged Steel" as was the No. 330 1923 through 1930.
3. Harrington & Richardson (courtesy of David Noreen)
Model 1905 single barrel was available with "Plain Steel" or Twist
Model 1908 listed only "Steel Barrel"
Model 1915 was again "Plain Steel"
"Heavy Breech Model of 1915" listed "Special Blued Steel".
4. W.H. Davenport listing in the c. 1904 Supplee Hdw. catalog:
"Elite Heavy Target" - "Armour Steel"
"Acme Single Barrel" - "Nickel and Case Hardened Blued Steel"
"Great American Nitro Single Barrel Gun" - "Special Nitro Barrels"
5. In 1901 and after the Iver Johnson Champion single was listed with "Hammer Forged Carbon Steel".

Crescent Victor (and MANY tradename singles) with the flat side frame. Later Victor and New Victor singles did not have the upper firing pin retaining pin





Victor parts list from H&D Folsom Catalog No. 17 c. 1920.
Font Paper Document Paper product Newspaper



N.R. Davis and Crescent-Davis singles
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 5&t=517318


1901 Iver Johnson Champion 'Top Snap' (Old Model) c. 1880 to 1908. There was a similar side lever opener model c. 1879 to 1897, and a semi-hammerless with locking bolt operated by a trigger guard "ring" c. 1899 to 1910.



Iver Johnson Shotgun Patents | Shotgun Forum (shotgunworld.com)

Courtesy of Bill Goforth author of Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993
Champion Model 36 -1909 to 1922
Single barrel; rebounding center mounted hammer; top lever operated break open design; gauges: 12, 16, and 20; barrel length: 28, 30, and 32 inches (features barrel and lug forged in one piece) bored full chock only; American black Walnut butt stock and fore-end; automatic extractors; weight 6 3/4 pounds; overall length with 30 inch barrel 45 inches; case hardened receiver (nickel available as option), browned barrel; automatic ejectors extra cost option; .410 bore, 24 and 28 gauges offered in 1913; 24 gauge dropped 1928; all gauges except 12 dropped after 1941.
Champion - 1923 to about 1978
This is the same gun as the earlier Model 36 champion except that the smaller gauges are now built on the same frame as the large gauges.

Champion Lightweight Model 39 in 24, 28, 32 gauge, .410 bore, 44 and 45 caliber, and also marked 12 mm (.410) and 14 mm (32 gauge)
There were also Junior Models of both the Model 36 and the Model 39 discontinued about 1918

Some of these single barrel shotguns have been seen with Canadian marking; these were most likely shipped to Canada and then marked as there is no evidence that Iver Johnson’s Arms & Cycle Works ever had a manufacturing factory in Canada

Cemetery Font Grave Concrete Number


Champion SN and DOM
Serial number with no letter prefix - DOM 1909 to 1919.
Single letter SN - DOM 1920 to 1929.
Two letter prefix - DOM 1930 to 1939.
All letter SN - DOM 1940 - 1950.

Iver Johnson single parts list in the H&D Folsom catalog No. 17 c. 1920

Font Art Parallel Illustration Drawing


Font Book Paper Paper product Symmetry
 
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10
#2 · (Edited)
J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company was in operation in Chicopee Falls, MA from January 29, 1886 until July 1, 1916, when the factory was taken over by New England Westinghouse for war production. The factory was then acquired by Savage Arms April 1, 1920 and renamed J. Stevens Arms Co., primarily producing lower priced guns under the Riverside Arms Co. and Springfield Arms Co. names, and numerous tradename guns including Eastern Arms for Sears. In the mid-1930s, advertising referred to the company simply as "Stevens".
About 1946 all of Savage/Stevens/Springfield manufacturing was moved to the Chicopee Falls location, then in September of 1961 the company moved all operations to Westfield, Massachusetts.
Collectors site
J. Stevens Arms & Tool and Steven's Collectors

Stevens Nos. 105/107 (ejector)



Magazine ad from 1914 with the introduction of the No. 106/108 .410 - 12mm
Hardware Dealers' Magazine


Thereafter, guns carry the Aug. 12, 1913 G.S. Lewis Patent

Hammer single parts list in Catalog No. 54 courtesy of David Noreen
Airship Aircraft Font Zeppelin Airplane


Stevens No. 160, 165 & 170 "Trigger Action" hammer singles
Trigger Latch Single Break Top | Shotgun Forum (shotgunworld.com)

No. 170 hammer gun with AE & capped pistol grip

Trigger Air gun Line Gun barrel Shotgun


Stevens No. 180 Hammerless Single has a straight rear of the receiver; Nos. 105 106 & 115 have a rebated rear of the receiver



Model No. 85 & 89 (AE) "Dreadnaught"
Dread Naught (Stevens ) | Shotgun Forum (shotgunworld.com)

Stevens No. 94 disassembly
How To Replace The Fireing Pin On Wichester - Firearms Assembly


Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Co. was in business 1868-1898 and produced falling block single barrel shotguns. The enterprise became Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. 1898-1914 and introduced "tip-up" single barrel shotguns in 1902 after acquiring Forehand Arms; with a distinctive barrel take down lever and drop point receiver. The "New Model" single had a rounded receiver with the same take down lever.
Barrels were usually marked "Choke Bored".
https://www.amazon.com/shotguns-Hopkins ... 0967988616


W.H. Davenport Fire Arms Co. of Norwich Conn.

The 1902 W.H. Davenport catalogue, reproduced in The Shotgun Research Newsletter, Volume 2, No. 3 lists the '96 Model Plain Gun (with a barrel take-down lever); The Acme Gun; The Automatic Ejector Gun; Crest Hammerless No. 1 Gun; Crest No. 2 Matted Top Rib Gun; Crest Hammer No. 4 Gun; The Elita Gun; The Goose Gun; and The Trap Gun.

Crest No. 2



Crest Hammer No. 4 Octagonal Breech



1904 Supplee catalog Davenport listing



The company was purchased by the Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. in 1905. Hopkins & Allen acquired the "Bay State" tradename in 1909, but it was also used by Harrington & Richardson on their Model 1915.

Davenport information at the bottom here
 
#5 ·
Good stuff, Drew!

I would add this about Davenport shotguns: the later, break-open singles built by the WH Davenport Arms Co. had locking bolts that traveled back in a straight line when disengaging the barrel lug, unlike many other singles of that era which used pivoting locking bolts(though the 'Old Model' or "squareback" Iver Johnson Champions also used a non-pivoting bolt). Those Davenport singles also had a screw through the fore-end iron whose slotted head is visible on the right side of the gun, a feature not found(so far as I know) on any other single shotgun.
 
#9 · (Edited)
The Harrington & Richardson Model 1900 (large frame) and Model 1905 (small frame) had a removable hinge pin. The early Model 1900s had a hinge-pin which was removed from the right side of the frame; after about 1905 the "The New Patent Hinge-Pin" was removed from the left side.



The Model 1908 (large frame) and Model 1915 (small frame) were essentially the same guns, and used a "snap on" forend. (Catalog pages courtesy of David Noreen)

Introduction in September 1908 Outdoor Life

Trigger Line Gun barrel Font Gun accessory


About 1920 the Model 1908 had a flat-side frame.

Line Font Gun barrel Parallel Trigger


The Model 1908 was chambered for 12, 16, 20, 24 & 28 gauges (both discontinued 1923). The First Variation (1909-1921) had a 2 1/2" chamber and a short forearm. The Second Variation (1922-1930) had a 2 3/4" chamber and long, slim fore-end.
The Third Variation added the .410 bore in 1925.

The small frame H & R Model 1915 was initially chambered for 24 & 28 gauge and .410 / 12mm

Line Font Gun barrel Trigger Parallel


H&R single parts list in the H&D Folsom catalog No. 17 c. 1920

Font Book Parallel Art Paper


Thread regarding the H&R .410 guns
Identifying an old H&R top break | Shotgun Forum (shotgunworld.com)

The Model 1915 became the No. 5 "Standard" Lightweight and Model 1908 the No. 8 "Standard" in 1931 and were made until 1942.

The "Bay State" without checkering was introduced about 1929, became the No. 7 in 1932, and was offered into the early 1940s.

Organ Organism Font Line Material property


Harrington & Richardson History courtesy of William Goforth

Model 1900

The Harrington & Richardson Model 1900 (large frame) and 1905 (small frame) carried the May 14, 1901 patent above the take down toggle. Andrew Hanson Patent No. 674,086 was issued for the removable hinge pin.
The Model 1900s had a hinge-pin which was removed from the right side of the frame; after about 1905 the "The New Patent Hinge-Pin" was removed from the left side.
Feb. 20 1900 patent is Martin Bye Patent No. 644,040 for the ejector mechanism.
Feb. 27 1900 patent is Martin Bye Patent No. 644,402 that covers how the rebounding hammer spring is placed in the receiver. The rebounding hammer was a feature of H&R single barrel shotgun manufactured between 1901 and 1942.
H&R stopped marking patent date on the single barrel shotguns about 1921.

Model 1905 small frame 28 gauge and 44 W.C.F. and .44 X.L.
The 28 gauge was a standard catalog offering of the model 1905 (1906 - 1916) and model 1915 (1916 - 1932) small frame light weight models and the standard size frame model 1908.

Model 1908: 1909 - 1942
Single Barrel, Standard Size Frame, Top Lever Break Action, Barrel Lock is Non-Self Adjustable, Three Piece Take Down (Non-Removable Hinge Pin), 12, 16, 20, 24 & 28 Gauges (the 28 gauge was dropped 1923), Barrel Length of 26, 28, 30 & 32 inches, Walnut Pistol Griped Butt-Stock and Fore-Arm, Hard Rubber Butt Plate, Frame is Case Hardened and Barrel is Browned, Available as Ejector & Non-ejector, Weight 5 3/4 to 6 3/8 Pounds. Advertised as having Steel Barrel

First Variation - 2 1/2 inch chambers, very slim and short Forearm: 1909 - 1921
Second Variation - 2 3/4 inch chambers, Slim Long Fore-Arm (24 & 28 Gauges dropped 1923): 1922 - 1930
Third Variation - 410 Bore added in 1925: 1925 - 1942
Fourth Variation No. 8 Standard “STANDARD” is marked on Left side of Frame, Wider Fore-Arm: 1931 - 1942

Model 1915: 1916 - 1942
Single Barrel, Small Size Frame, Top Lever Break Action, Barrel Lock is Non-Self Adjustable, Three Piece Take Down (Non-Removable Hinge Pin),Available as Ejector & Non-ejector, 24, 28, 12mm, 14mm Gauges and 410-44, 45 Shot chambering, barrel Length 26,28, & 30 inches, Walnut Pistol Griped Butt-Stock Fore-Arm, Hard Rubber Butt Plate, Frame is Case Hardened and Barrel is Browned, Weight 4 to 4 3/4 Pounds.
The 410 Bore can be Dated by its markings,
410-44 = 1916-1921,
410-12MM = 1922-1936
410 = 1937-1941 (this is the only 410 Pre WWII chambered for the 3 inch shell

First Variation - Slim and Short Fore-Arm: 1916 - 1921
Second Variation - Long Forearm, Squared off Pistol Grip, 45 caliber dropped: 1922 - 1930
Third Variation - Now Known as the Model No.5 Standard (may be marked on the frame): 1931 - 1936
Fourth Variation - 410 is chambered for 3 inch shells: 1937 - 1942

H&R FOLDING MODEL: 1925 - 1942
HEAVY FRAME
Single Barrel, Standard Size Frame, Top Lever Break Action, Barrel Lock is Non-Self Adjustable, Non Take Down, 12, 16, 20 Gauges & 410-12mm Bore, Barrel Length 26 inches, Walnut Pistol Griped Butt-Stock and Forearm, Hard Rubber Butt Plate, Frame is Case Hardened and Barrel is Blue, Available as Non-ejector Only, Weight 5¾ to 6½ Pounds.
410 Bore not available in 3 inch chamber until after 1937.
After 1931 Known as No.4 FOLDING MODEL

LIGHT FRAME
Single Barrel, Small Size Frame, Top Lever Break Action, Barrel Lock is Non-Self Adjustable, Non Take Down, 28, 14mm Gauges & 410-12mm Bore, Barrel Length 22 inches, Walnut Pistol Griped Butt-Stock and Forearm, Hard Rubber Butt Plate, Frame is Case Hardened and Barrel is Blue, Available as Non-ejector Only, Weight 5¾ to 6½ Pounds.
410 Bore not available in 3 inch chamber until after 1937.
After 1931 Known as NO. 4 FOLDING LIGHTWEIGHT MODEL

Air gun Trigger Line Wood Gun barrel


In 1943 H&R started using the name "Topper" for their single barrel shotguns.

MODEL 48 TOPPER - 1943 - 1956
Single Barrel, Top Lever Break Open Action, Rebounding Hammer, Self-Adjusting Barrel Latch, Auto-Ejector, Three Piece Take Down (Snap On Forearm), 12, 16, 20 Gauges (2¾ inch Chambers) & 410 Bore (3 inch chamber), Barrel Lengths 26 to 32 inches Choked Full Or Modified, Finish Case Hardened Frame & Blue Barrel, Pistol Griped Walnut Butt-Stock & Semi Beaver-Tail Forearm (oil Finished), Hard Rubber Butt-Plate, Butt-Stock Length of Pull 13 ½ inches, Drop: at Comb 1¾ inches at Heel 2½ inches, Overall Lengths 41 to 47 inches. Between 1943 and 1944 'STANDARD' was marked on this model.

MODEL 47 TOPPER Deluxe: c. 1945-1946
Same as Topper Model 48 except for all Chrome finish. Dates of manufacture uncertain.

Post-1940 Serial Numbers and DOM
Font Parallel Pattern Number Rectangle
 
#10 · (Edited)
C.S. Shattuck made single and double barrel shotguns, with and without hammers, in Hatfield, Mass. from 1880 until the factory closed in 1909.

1900 Postcard of the Shattuck factory

Building Plant Water Tree Facade


Later guns used Andrew Fyrberg's “Breakdown Gun” May 30, 1893 Patent # 498,427

MODELS
(Catalog images courtesy of David Noreen)

(Hyde & Shattuck Springfield, Mass hammerless 1876-1880)

Side Hammer Model 1878 - 1886
10 and 12 gauge, 30" or 32" twist or steel barrels. “Piper System” and top lever.

Grey Font Rectangle Metal Building material


Old Model Side Snap “Champion” or “American Champion” 1880 - 1890
12 and 16 gauge with 30" or 32" twist or plain steel barrels.

Trigger Air gun Line Gun barrel Font


“The American” Trigger Action model 1881 - 1904
At least 961 guns were manufactured.
8, 10 or 12 gauge. 30, 32, 34, 36 or 40 inch “Pieper System” (mono-bloc) twist barrels.
Those without a forend weighed up to 13# and were likely intended as a “Punt gun”.

Gesture Trigger Air gun Shotgun Gun barrel


1896 catalog

Font Publication Letter Paper Paper product


Ring Trigger Opening Model 1890 – 1909
12 and 16 gauge with 30" or 32" twist or steel barrels, with a barrel take-down pin.
Not “Pieper System”
Also tradenamed “Leader”.

Knife Tool Wood Gun accessory Metal


Hammerless Single Barrel 1887 - 1909
12 and 16 gauge with 30" steel barrels.

New Model Side Snap 1890 - 1909
“Perfection Side Snap Model 1893”
“American Side Snap” and “New American Side Snap” with “Pieper System” Decarbonized barrels

Trigger Font Gun barrel Air gun Shotgun


Top Lever “Perfection Ptd. Jan. 5 1897” and “New Top Lever” 1896 - 1909
 
#11 · (Edited)
U.S. 12 mm / .410 and 14 mm / 32 gauge singles

The 1912 Schoverling, Daly & Gales catalogue lists the Harrington & Richardson Model 1905 available in 24 and 28 gauges, and .44 and .45 caliber. (No 12 mm - .410)
In the Harrington & Richardson catalog No. 12, 1913 the Model 1905 was listed in 24 and 28 gauge, 44 and 45 caliber, 12 mm and 14 mm, and .410 Eley. (Courtesy of David Noreen)

Font Gun barrel Paper Office supplies Paper product


The Model 1915 was listed in 44 and 28 gauge, (2 1/2”) 410-12 mm and 14mm
Model 1915 410 markings per Bill Goforth:
410-44 = 1916-1921,
410-12MM = 1922-1936

The Model 8 .410 was introduced in 1925

The Hammerless No. 3 was also offered in .410

Font Trigger Rectangle Gun barrel Parallel



The Iver Johnson Champion Model 36 was offered in .410 bore only 1913 - 1916; the Champion Lightweight Model 39 in 24, 28, 32 gauge, .410 bore, 44 and 45 caliber, and was also marked 12 mm (.410) and 14 mm (32 gauge)


J. Stevens No. 106 and 108 (AE) “Featherweight” introduced in 1914 was listed in .44, .410 - 12mm, and 14mm - 32 bore

Font Parallel Triangle Tool Event



c. 1910 the standard British 12 mm / .410 was 2" with 3/16 oz. shot or 2 1/2" with 7/16 oz. shot.
14mm / 32g was 2 1/2" with 9/16 oz. shot.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Torkelson Arms Company.
Reinhard (Reinhardt) Thorvald Torkelson (Torkildsen) immigrated from Norway in 1879 and had worked for both Iver Johnson and Andrew Fyrberg.

1891 Patent
US452126A - Breech-loading gun - Google Patents
He manufactured a tradename double "Model 1891 Invincible" for Janney Semple Hill & Co., and the "Spencer Gun Co." and "New American" (for Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co.) about 1895.
c. 1902 he established Torkelson Arms Co. in Warren, MA., in operation until about 1908. A hammerless double, the "New Worchester", and a single barrel were manufactured.

Torkelson single in American Small Arms, Edward S. Farrow, 1904 courtesy of John Eurom

Motor vehicle Font Gun barrel Drawing Art


Trigger Air gun Line Gun barrel Font

Font Rectangle Circle Symmetry Paper


At least one tradename Torkelson single was the 'New Keystone' possibly for E.K. Tryon & Co., Philadelphia

Air gun Gun accessory Gun barrel Metal Trigger


Automotive tire Font Wood Darkness Macro photography
 
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