Shotgun help?

Question

I own a single-barrel shotgun. It was bought by my great-grandfather and passed onto my Grandpa and then finally to me. The stock is cracked,but the shotgun still fully works. I would like to know what kind of shotgun it is. The only markings on the rifle are found on the side of the action, it barely reads dware Co. St.Louis U.S.A. electrosteele barrel and has a square imprint that has a huge X in the middle and on the left side it has an I and on the right side it has the letter L. No numbers or anyother markings are found. I would like to know the make, year, model, and any information that will help me locate new parts and a stock for my shotgun. Thank You.

Answer 1

As Tom M said, it could be a Shapleigh Hardware gun or a Simmons Hardware gun or Witte Hardware or a Wyeth Hardware etc.

The fact that it's a hardware store brand means it's a common brand ie Folsom (Crescent) or J. Stevens, Davenport etc.

The "electrosteel" marking is a cinch though. That was a J. Stevens trademark meaning it was modern one piece steel and not damascus.

Look on the right side of the receiver at the hinge pin where the barrel pivots open. Is it a screw or a flat pin? On the receiver, are the sides perfectly flat? Flat receiver and screw pivot pin means it's a Stevens 89.

A screw pivot but not flat receiver sides....they'll have a curved ridge just under the hammer means it's a Stevens 106

Flat sides plus blind/flat pivot pin plus the receiver back stops just under the hammer means it's a Stevens 94.

Try a search on gunbroker.com for each of those models and match your firearm up with one....then go to Numrich (http://www.e-gunparts.com/) and get your parts.

All those parts are common....not hard to find at all.

As to age, I can't help there. That "L" mark suggests 1960 but that sounds off from what you've said. No idea.

Answer 2

At the turn of the century there were several companies that mass produced single barrel shotguns in 12, 16, 20, and 410 gauge. Crescent was just one such company. They produced shotguns for many different retailers like Sears & Roebuck, J.C. Penny, Montgomery Wards,and many Hardware Store Chains of that period, and were sold under several dozen "brand" names. I would be willing to say with confidence you have one of these shotguns. Since these shotguns were in fact mass produced, it is virtually impossible to be sure who made yours without additional information or markings to help narrow down the search. Parts if any are few and far between, but I would suggest you check with the following company to see what parts they might have (such as Cresent brand) to see if they are possibly interchangable with yours. At the very least they might have a Butt Stock to replace your broken one.

Numrich Gun Parts Corporation,226 Williams Lane, West Hurley ,New York 12491 E-mail address: www.e-gunparts.com
Phone Number (845)-679-4867

This companty has one of the largest inventories of Used and Antique Gun Parts in the U.S. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I think I may know what it is I think it is a crescent arms which was manufactured for shapleigh hardware company of st louis. From what I gather finding parts for these is near impossible. I wouldn't shoot it without having a gunsmith look at it first. Some of those old shotguns used damascus steel on the barrels and these can fail and blow up in your face.

Answer 4

You can always have a competent Gunsmith make you a stock for it if you can't locate one for it.*

Answer 5

ummm...thats a tuff one. you can probably take it to any place that sells guns and ask. it sounds like a beast! lol. good luck

Answer 6

Dear Steven,
Quit asking the same question as your Mother, Sheila!