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

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

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





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.

Stevens Nos. 105/107 (ejector)



Stevens No. 180 has a straight rear of the receiver; Nos. 105 & 107 have a 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 Supplee catalog Davenport listing



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

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")

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

1908 Sears catalog A.J. Aubrey single



1917 Meriden Single

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.