questions about a old shotgun ???????
I have an old shotgun my father bought at a gun show years ago.On the side of the barrel it says Cannon breech and have no idea if this is the maker of the gun or not.This shotgun is fully functioning and is not in bad shape.I have heard that gun was made in the turn of the century but not sure and do not know the value of this at all.So any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Cannon Breech was a trade name of sorts used by the firms, usually hardware stores, that marketed these shotguns. I think that the guns themselves were made by the Crescent Firearms Co., which was bought out by Stevens at the end of WWI. None of these guns is worth a whole lot of money and the examples with twist barrels should not be fired (there is a lot of argument about that but I'll take the Gun Broker liability line and say no firing of twist barrels). These guns are mostly purchased as wall hangers. 0 -
There was a great interest in all things having to do with shotgunning in the early 20th Century, making, selling and shooting. Wholesale and retail sporting goods dealers and independent retailers, hardware stores and Uncle John's Country Corner Store wanted inexpensive (cheap) shotguns with names of their own choosing to sell The major makers were only too happy to supply this demand. I call such guns "Trade Brand Name" shotgun if they were made before 1940. Guns with the name CANNON BREECH were made by one of three makers, Stevens Arms & Tool Company, Harrington & Richardson Arms Company and Hopkins & Allen. Crescent Fire Arms Company did not make any guns with this nam. The guns were made for and sold at wholesale by the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, Mo a wholesale sporting goods dealer. The guns did not have damascus (twist) barrels but they were designed and made using the technology and metallurgy of the times when they were made. They were designed for black powder or early low pressure smokeless powder. The barrels will be chambered for either 2 1/2 or 2 9/16 inch shells loaded with lead shot. They were not designed for more modern high pressure smokeless powder, 3 inch or magnum shells or steel shot. Most of us will not recommend that the gun be fired since we can not see or examine the gun for its condition. Value will depend on the guns condition. One in prime shape that appears to have come out of the factory yesterday afternoon might bring $125 while a rusty rotten incomplete piece of junk might bring $10 for parts salvage or as a fire place poker. 0 -
thank you all for the responses,this is great info to have.I will try and post a pic or two of the gun as this might help a bit quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
I have shot Crescent guns with damascus/twist barrels, but with a serious pucker factor and a long string.
I don't see any reason to attempt to do so any longer, but I do understand the temptation. If you succumb, use nothing but expressly designed and loaded low pressure shells, available for order on line. I might even remove all the shot and use nothing but wadding. Blanks, so to speak, and blanks made from low pressure shells.
And from the sounds of it, you have a side hammer gun. Understand that the safety features of such a gun are crude, to say the least.
Yours is a good example of a "hardware gun" as already identified, and if value is the question, may be worth the most parted out especially for the furniture, if in good shape.
Otherwise, less than $200.
I would keep it and be happy, if I were you.0 -
here are some pics if it helps any 
quote:Originally posted by eric kinser
I have an old shotgun my father bought at a gun show years ago.On the side of the barrel it says Cannon breech and have no idea if this is the maker of the gun or not.This shotgun is fully functioning and is not in bad shape.I have heard that gun was made in the turn of the century but not sure and do not know the value of this at all.So any help would be greatly appreciated.0 -
[img]<table border="0" width="1024" style="border: none; font-family: Myriad, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"><tr><td colspan="2" style="border: none;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowNetworking="all" src="http://w1125.photobucket.com/flash/tagWidget.swf?mediaURL=aHR0cDovL2kxMTI1LnBob3RvYnVja2V0LmNvbS9hbGJ1bXMvbDU5NS9FcmljX0tpbnNlci9qYXNvbnNwaWNzMDE1LmpwZw==" width="1024" height="768"/></td></tr></table>[/img]quote:Originally posted by eric kinser
here are some pics if it helps anyquote:Originally posted by eric kinser
I have an old shotgun my father bought at a gun show years ago.On the side of the barrel it says Cannon breech and have no idea if this is the maker of the gun or not.This shotgun is fully functioning and is not in bad shape.I have heard that gun was made in the turn of the century but not sure and do not know the value of this at all.So any help would be greatly appreciated.0 -
eric,
Those pesky photo site URLs will be the death of us![:D] Here you go:
Good luck!0 -
Alas, I'm afraid the photos reinforce, and do not alter, the responses that you have received further up this string. It is what it is. Best, Joe 0 -
thank you for posting thesequote:Originally posted by BigLoop22
eric,
Those pesky photo site URLs will be the death of us![:D] Here you go:
Good luck!0
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