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.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24750360

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

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.

Barrels are commonly marked with a steel name:
1. Crescent and A.J. Aubrey used "Armory Steel"
2. J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. No. 105, 107 & 115 singles were listed with “Electro Steel” in 1901; post-1916 No. 105 had “Compressed Forged Steel”. The No. 165 singles in 1912 also had “Electro Steel”.
In 1902 the No. 180 hammerless single had “Special 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”.

Information regarding early .410/12mm single barrel shotguns and shells
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 5&t=367775

1898 Andrew Fyrberg for Sears



1902 Crescent (top and note "Bored for Nitro Powder") and Fyrberg (bottom). Crescent with the early sculpted frame



Crescent Victor with the flat side frame



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

1901 Iver Johnson Champion Top Lever (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.

C.S. Shattuck also used the Champion name.

1904 Stevens Nos. 180, 105/107, 115, 160/165/170 courtesy of David Noreen



Stevens No. 180. Straight receiver



Stevens Nos. 105 & 107 (ejector) Sculpted frame and rebated rear of the receiver



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



1904 Davenport. W.H. Davenport Fire Arms Co. of Norwich Conn. 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
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id ... GIhfguSXXQ



1911 Davenport design Hopkins & Allen



1905 Worchester (Harrington & Richardson), Hopkins & Allen Forehand, Model 1900 Harrington & Richardson (made 1901-1916).



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 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.



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 (1925-1942) added the .410 bore. The Fourth Variation(1931-1942) had a wider fore-end and was known as the No.8 Standard and "STANDARD" was marked on the left side of the frame.
The small frame H & R Model 1915 was chambered for 24 & 28 gauge and .410 bore (2 1/2")

1908 A.J. Aubrey




Remington 1893 No. 3 and 1902 Model 9 side cocking single barrels
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 5&t=469029

And a collection of early single barrel trap guns here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24684834

Including the Crescent "New Trap"



Davenport 8g "Elite Heavy Target"



Stevens No. 183 "Trap Shooter's Fancy" courtesy of David Noreen

There are a number of gentlemen here able and willing to help, but you must do your part by accurately describing the gun and any words/marks on the action and barrels. It is imperative that you post high resolution, full size, close-up images of the action/receiver and EVERY mark.

Instructions for posting are here
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=460765

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.

excel 410 g shotgun serial no:3528 xg
No other marks on the gun barrel,chamber is3inches.

PLEASE start a new thread if you have questions about your single barrel shotgun.

I have a shotgun 12 gauge single shot. Looks just like a Iver Johnson. But shorter Big Barrel 30 inches long don't know what it is.