What could it be??? 12 GA single barrel w/ hammer

moreammoplz

May 03, 2011 16:51

Buddy called he doesn't have internet and wanted to see what the value of a shotgun might be. I know this is going to be a long shot since I don't have pics.

He describes it as a Single Barrel, NO Rib 12 GA shotgun that has a hammer. It also sounds like it has a lever to break open the gun like a double barrel. It shows a name, but I can't find anything on the web. XL Excel? The finish is rough so I may not have the letters correct. It has a serial number around the trigger guard.

Any ideas what this might be????

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  Ned Fall

  May 03, 2011 20:38

  The gun is what is called a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. That is a shotgun that was made by a major maker (and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. Both names EXCEL and XL were used. Guns with the name Excel were made by either Crescent fire Arms Company of Norwich, Ct (1892 to 1931) or the Crescent-Davis Arms Company also of Norwich (1931 to 1938) or the Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchberg,MA (1874 to 1993) for and were sold at wholesale by the Montgomery Wars Company of Chicago,IL. Guns with the name XL were made by the Hopkins & Allen Company and were sold by the Mervin & Herbert Company of New York City. The location of the serial number on your gun leads me to think it was made by Crescent. The value of one of these old single barrels depends on its condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. A prime condition example that appears to have come out of the factory yesterday afternoon might sell for $125 while a rusty rotten incomplete piece of junk fit only for parts salvage or as a tent peg might bring $10. Most sell on the various gun auction sites for between $50 and $75.If it is a Crescent made gun, post the serial number and we can tell you when it was made.

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