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3 old side X sides
reddog
Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
I am wondering about the values of some old doubles I have: Meridan serial # 69673 12 ga.-Krupps bbl's, a little engraving, 2" repair job on toe near buttstock (highly figured walnut), otherwise excellent condition. Crescent Peerless 20 ga. serial #259924 excellent condition. Riverside 12 ga. serial # 68225 good condition. I can't seem to find much about the history of any of these manufacturers and would greatly appreciate any info. anyone might have.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
1. Meridan Fire Arms Company -- Meridan, Connecticut. 1905 to 1918. They were fitted with twist, laminated, Damascus, or fluid steel
barrels in grades A to G. Prices in 1910 ranged from $40 to $250
for these sidelock shotguns, but they were a really good value for
the money as they were superior in quality to the Crescent made
sidelocks which they closely resembled. It is difficult to find
pristine specimens as they were sold by Sears-Roebuck & Company
and they were generally hunted hard. It would be difficult to
establish a value without knowing the grade and barrel type.
2. Riverside Arms Company -- Chicopee Fall, Mass.
This one was made by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company and Riverside
Arms Company was the trade name that they used on various types of
"hardware" store firearms. Check and see if it has small
"tiger-stripes" running around the barrels. They are usually more
visible under the forearm. Damascus barreled shotguns generally
are less valuable than ones with fluid steel barrels.
3. Crescent Peerless -- Crescent Fire Arms Company -- Norwich, Conn.
The company was bought by H&D Folsum of New York City, large
importer and distrubutor of firearms and sporting goods. They
wanted to add an American made utility sidelock to a fairly
extensive range of imported firearms. Their house brand was
American Gun Company of New York, the "Crescent" name later
replaced it. One of their most popular models was the
Knickerbocker. It became the "Peerless" in 1922, and in 1928 this
became the "Empire". If you are planning to sell this one, then
I would have an interest in it.
4. If the Riverside has Damascus barrels (Meridan has Krupps fluid
steel barrels), it should not be fired until they are checked
out by a gunsmith who has the fiber-optic equipment and experience
with Damascus barrels and can check INSIDE of the barrels. If
there is ANY evidence of delamination it needs to become a
"wall-hanger" and not a shooter.
5. Even if the Damascus barrels are not showing any evidence of
delamination, they should not be fired with modern smokless
shotshells. You are going to hear that you can use "low-brass"
game loads. NOT so. The pressure curve of blackpowder shotshells
and modern smokeless powder loads are completely different.
Eventually they will cause damage to the shotgun due to the
difference in pressure curves. No - it won't blow up in your
face, but eventually you will damage and perhaps even ruin the
shotgun. If you have Damascus barrels and are looking for
black powder shotshells -- a safe "Cowboy Action" loading was
(maybe still is) available from L. A. Outdoors in Enterprise,
Alabama. Their telephone number is (334) 347 - 6909.
Best Regards
Edited by - AdamsQuailHunter on 04/24/2002 22:23:10
It looks like the Riverside has fluid steel barrels. I really like the little 20 guage Crescent but it is so nice (I bought it 12 years ago from someone who had it stored and it has been in a gun case in the closet ever since), am almost afraid to shoot it - It looks like it has fluid steel barrels as well
quote:
All three are well made but utility shotguns -- American made after the turn of the 20th century.
1. Meridan Fire Arms Company -- Meridan, Connecticut. 1905 to 1918. They were fitted with twist, laminated, Damascus, or fluid steel
barrels in grades A to G. Prices in 1910 ranged from $40 to $250
for these sidelock shotguns, but they were a really good value for
the money as they were superior in quality to the Crescent made
sidelocks which they closely resembled. It is difficult to find
pristine specimens as they were sold by Sears-Roebuck & Company
and they were generally hunted hard. It would be difficult to
establish a value without knowing the grade and barrel type.
2. Riverside Arms Company -- Chicopee Fall, Mass.
This one was made by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company and Riverside
Arms Company was the trade name that they used on various types of
"hardware" store firearms. Check and see if it has small
"tiger-stripes" running around the barrels. They are usually more
visible under the forearm. Damascus barreled shotguns generally
are less valuable than ones with fluid steel barrels.
3. Crescent Peerless -- Crescent Fire Arms Company -- Norwich, Conn.
The company was bought by H&D Folsum of New York City, large
importer and distrubutor of firearms and sporting goods. They
wanted to add an American made utility sidelock to a fairly
extensive range of imported firearms. Their house brand was
American Gun Company of New York, the "Crescent" name later
replaced it. One of their most popular models was the
Knickerbocker. It became the "Peerless" in 1922, and in 1928 this
became the "Empire". If you are planning to sell this one, then
I would have an interest in it.
4. If the Riverside has Damascus barrels (Meridan has Krupps fluid
steel barrels), it should not be fired until they are checked
out by a gunsmith who has the fiber-optic equipment and experience
with Damascus barrels and can check INSIDE of the barrels. If
there is ANY evidence of delamination it needs to become a
"wall-hanger" and not a shooter.
5. Even if the Damascus barrels are not showing any evidence of
delamination, they should not be fired with modern smokless
shotshells. You are going to hear that you can use "low-brass"
game loads. NOT so. The pressure curve of blackpowder shotshells
and modern smokeless powder loads are completely different.
Eventually they will cause damage to the shotgun due to the
difference in pressure curves. No - it won't blow up in your
face, but eventually you will damage and perhaps even ruin the
shotgun. If you have Damascus barrels and are looking for
black powder shotshells -- a safe "Cowboy Action" loading was
(maybe still is) available from L. A. Outdoors in Enterprise,
Alabama. Their telephone number is (334) 347 - 6909.
Best Regards
Edited by - AdamsQuailHunter on 04/24/2002 22:23:10
2. I am sorry that I failed to mention that all of the "Peerless" shotguns as well as the "Empire" have fluid steel barrels. The earlier "Knickerbocker" were some Damascus barrels and some fluid steel barrels.
3. If you ever do decide to part with the "Peerless", I definitely would be interested as it is 20 gauge --- a very nice quail gun. However, I don't think it will like it here as well as it does being with you ---- I will hunt it hard.
Best Regards