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=60and
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... 0&start=60 A list of tradenames may be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id ... GIhfguSXXQand 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=5173181901
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.