Shotgun 12 ga Bacon Arms

mnjack30

I have a Bacon Arms single shot 12 guage Ser #5867. Hammer on right side. Collector's item or??

abcguns2

Hello,
Welcome aboard , this is one of the 'store brand' type/style of single shotguns , at the turn of the century most gun makers made what is refered to 'store brand' guns . Generally speaking , these have little collectors value and are shooters , condition of course is paramont , a common example would sell for apx. $75-125 depending on : make,model,gauge,bbl length,overall cond (v.g. or better),but in poor cond. (wall hanger), value may be $20-40 ???
Hope some of this helps out some ...
Good Luck !!!
d.a.stearns
Gunsmith / LEO
Niota , Tn

He Dog

Most were black powder shotguns and are not safe with modern shells. Values can climb to about $250 or so if in very nice condition, but most of what has driven values up has been purchases by decorators for use as wall hangers.

Xracer

Crescent Firearms Co. was started in 1888 by George W. Cilley when he bought out the defunct Bacon Arms Co. of Norwich, Connecticut. Cilley formed a partnership with Frank Foster and Crescent was born.

It's believed that Crescent used the Bacon tradename for a few more years....probably up to 1900 or so.

Crescent became the largest U.S. maker of "hardware store" shotguns, supplying many hardware store chains, gun wholesalers, and catalog companies with inexpensive, but decent quality shotguns, under about 150 different "house brands" and "store tradenames".

But....your shotgun might possibly have actually been made by Bacon Arms prior to the Crescent buyout, so it could date to before 1888.

In any case, it was almost certainly made for blackpowder and not modern smokless powder loads....so just hang it on the wall and admire it.

He Dog

Thanks Xracer you just keep showing me new stuff!

mnjack30

Thanks to all for your very informative responses!! Jack

DF1027

I also have a Bacon Arms single shot shotgun. However I cannot find a serial number. Simply the name. The gun was a working gun on a farm and took a few deer in its time as well. I am trying to locate information on the gun as well as trying to find different stocks. The originals are cracked and taped by my Grandfather and Uncles.

Thank you for your time.

mnjack30

The unit I have has the number in 3 places. Breech, Barrel and under the forearm when broken down. All are the same. I have no idea where you may obtain parts. Jack

Xracer

In 1929 N. R. Davis Firearms Co. merged with Crescent to become Davis-Crescent Arms Co. H & D Folsom was a New York importer and distributor of firearms from about 1890 to 1930, at which time they merged with the Davis-Crescent Arms Co. In 1931 the depression forced the sale of Davis-Crescent to the Stevens Arms Co., which assembled the remaining parts and sold them under the Stevens name....so it's possible that some of the early J.Stevens single-shot shotgun parts might fit.....but I doubt it.

You probably could have it repaired by a gunsmith who could make you some small parts or "file-and-fit" some parts to get it working, but it would probably cost far more than the gun is worth.