Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Wyeth Criterion double barrel

jacobswell
I have a side by side double barrel 12gauge, but I can't find it on the internet to find it's value (maybe it doesn't have a value).lol
It has two hammers and the words that I find scattered over the gun are-Wyeth, Criterion, interchangable and twist belgium.
Does anybody know anything about this gun, how old? and what is it's value? Thanks
0

Comments

3 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The Belgian shotguns similar to the one you describe, were imported in great quantity between the 1890's and the start of the First World War in 1914. Most all of them were made and sold to be inexpensive utility grade guns, with what are known as Damascus barrels.

    There is little US collector demand for these guns, at this point in time. Because of the Damascus barrels they are unsafe to shoot with modern shotgun shells. Most are consigned because of this if they are in very good to excellent condition to decorator/wall hanger status. Value would probably be between $50 & $250 depending on cosmetic appearance.
    0
  • jacobswell
    Thank you
    0
  • Ned Fall
    Rufe has already given you most of the information. These old shotguns are called by several generic names like "Trade Brand Name" and JABC (Just Another Belgian Clunker) . A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker (and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesaler or retailer or in this case imported by who chose the name to go on the gun. I strongly suspect that the gun was made for, imported by and sold by the Wythe Hardware & Manufacturing Company of St. Joseph, MO a hardware and sporting goods dealer for 1880 to date. I have no information as to who the maker was. These guns were designed and made using the technology and metallurgy of the times when they were made and for the ammunition is use then. They will have damascus barrels chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells loaded with black powder and lead shot. They were not designed for modern high pressure smokeless powder and steel shot 3 inch or magnum shells. DON'T ATTEMPT TO SHOOT THE GUN!. Value? Values will depend on the guns condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. Values can range from as much as $200 for a prime condition example to less that $10 for a rusty rotten incomplete piece of junk fit only for parts salvage or as a fire place poker.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity