My Great Grandfathers old shotgun
I have just been given my great Grandfathers old 12 ga shotgun. I would like to know something about it but am unable to find anything so I thought I would as all you experts out there! The gun says it was made by Foster Hardware Co, Huntington W. Va. The best I can read on the date is Aug 14, 00. I do know that he had it for years and then my Grandfather bought it from him when he married my grandmother (it was her fathers). They were married in 1925. My Great Grandfather was married in 1897 which kinda puts the date of 1900 as a real possibility.
Any information would be so very much appreciated as I plan to make a plaque to hang under it so that when it is passed on in the family the information will not be lost.
Any information would be so very much appreciated as I plan to make a plaque to hang under it so that when it is passed on in the family the information will not be lost.
0
-
What a great family memento!
To get a good appraisal of its origins and possible value, please post some very clear photos, especially of any stamps or markings on the barrels and receiver.
Instruction for posting photos are in a sticky at the top of the forum.0 -
I will get the photos but don't expect much! This gun has been through a lot! My great grandfather hit his cow with it because it kicked him and cracked the stock. It wasn't broken too bad to use so he just kept it like that. It was never changed and still has the tape that my dad put on it when he was 14 (now 80). That was the last time it was shot, his father put it in the attic and forbid him to ever use it again because he was gone hunting and fell asleep. Grandad thought he had shot himself and was about to have a comeapart! It remained in that attic until he died in 1976 and Dad took it home. I am not so worried about a value but would like to know something about the maker of it. 0 -
1st welcome to the forums deerodgers! 2nd your grand daddys ol' shotgun is a "trade name" brand shotgun. Most likely manufactured by crescent arms at the turn of the century. They would make their shotguns for any company willing to pay for their name on its side. Crescent arms was absorbed between the 30's and 40's. Unfortunately trade name shotguns have never had a high resale value. Tangible value could be as low as 25 dollars and as high as 150-200 dollars depending upon condition. Others will be along shortly for additional comment! Best 0 -
thanks so much. I would never sell it and the value does not matter as it is a family heirloom to me. 0 -
Dee
Here is some information I've been able to acquire. You gun was not made by the Foster Hardware Company of Hunting W.Va. The gun is as said, a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. A "Trade BrandName" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesale sporting goods dealer, a retail chain store or an independent retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. Guns with the name FOSTER HARDWARE CO were made by the Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich, CT (1892 to 1931) for and were sold by the Foster Mead Hardware Company of Huntington,WV. I didn't know where the company was located. thank you. If you will give me a good description of the gun, single barrel,double barrel, outside hammer or hammerless and the serial number, located on the bottom tang just behind the trigger guard on a single barrel and on the water table on a double barrel, I can tell you the year the gun was made.0 -
Thank you so much Ned. I will have my husband look for those markings tomorrow and will post them here. It means a lot to have you do this for me. I really appreciate it more than you can know. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments