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Trade Shotguns

Kory
Is there any reference on the "Trade Shotguns" I have a Newport CN in 16 gauge , and can't find anything on it other than the fact in was made under Crescent and that they changed serial numbers with every model change .I was mostly looking for a D.O.M. or even close to it would be ok. Any help is greatly appreciated !

Kory
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  • Lucky007
    This is a history for Cresent firearms....I also have a fairly lengthy list of trade names used by Cresent over the life of the company....

    CRESCENT FIRE ARMS CO. was incorporated in Connecticut on March 4, 1892. In 1888, George W. Cilley bought out the defunct Bacon Arms Co. of Norwich, CT. He then formed an alliance with Frank A. Foster, and borrowed enough money to form Crescent. Cilley and Foster each held several firearms patents, and both were highly qualified in firearms design and manufacture. Production began with single shot tip-up shotguns that had an external side hammer. Double barrel shotgun production was started in 1891. In 1893, the majority of Crescent stock was acquired by H.∓D. FOLSOM located at 314 Broadway in New York City. Henry Titus Folsom (1859-1937) was President of the company, and was succeeded by his son, H. Lloyd (1888-1954), who led the company through the depression and World War II. H.∓D. Folsom distributed Birmingham and Belgian made firearms (including some marked W. Richards and T. Barker) under many trade names from 1890 until about 1932. The Norwich, CT manufactured Crescent guns were marked American Gun Company of New York (NOT American Arms Co., Boston), then Crescent after about 1922. In 1897, American Gun Co. listed 5 models: 1. #2641 - Top lever hammergun with Armory Steel barrels (Belgain made) in 12g only for $14. 2. #2650 - With damascus barrels for $15. 3. #2660 - Similar gun but claimed to be all American made for $18. 4. #2655 - Twist barrels and Deeley & Edge snap forend with engraving on locks and trigger guard for $18. 5. #2665 - Greater engraving coverage for $20. In 1954 Folsom was purchased by Universal Tackle and Sporting Goods Co. N.R. DAVIS ARMS COMPANY was located in Assonet, MA from 1853 until at least 1917, operated under the following names: 1853 to 1883 N.R. Davis Arms 1883 to 1917 N.R. Davis & Sons Co. 1917 to 1930 Davis-Warner Arms Corp. Brooklyn, NY and Norwich, CT In 1920, SAVAGE ARMS CORP. purchased J. STEVENS ARMS and later acquired the assets of Page Lewis Company and A.H. Fox. J. Stevens purchased DAVIS-WARNER in 1930. A Stevens memo dated December 15, 1930 announced the purchase from H&D Folsom Arms Company of the assets of Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich, Connecticut. The assets of Crescent were to be merged with those of Davis-Warner Arms Corporation and that the newly formed firm would be known as The Crescent-Davis Arms Corporation, Norwich, Conn. On November 4, 1935, an order of dissolution was filed with the New York Secretary of State and the remains were moved to Chicopee Falls and assembled and sold under various trade names. RESOURCE: Bob Hinman "The Golden Age of Shotgunning"
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  • Ned Fall
    There are no official serial number records left for Crescent Fire Arms. However I do have records compiled by Joseph T. Vorisek which is the closest thing remaining. Post your serial number and I'll tell you what Joe said.
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  • Kory
    t8130, thanks !
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  • Ned Fall
    According to my reference---1897. Made by Crescent Fire Arms of course. Made for and sold by Hibbard Spencer Bartlett of St. Louis,MO a large wholesale sporting goods dealer.
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  • Kory
    Thanks !

    I had the gun checked out by my gunsmith and he gave it a clear bill of health , infact he said the action is really tight . and the barrels are really clean and in great shape , I did have to refinish the stock , because it looked like somebody drug it behind a truck going down a gravel road, I didn't do a whole lot so as not to drastically change it even though it is not a "real" collector , I will take it pheasant hunting though and enjoy it , If you don't mind , where did you get the resource info at? and is there any documentation available that may help in the future? Thanks again for the great info !
    Kory
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  • He Dog
    Ned it is great of you to help a guy out. I wonder if you would be willing to print your list of names used by Crescent? You have indicated your list is over 400, which more than doubles any list I have seen.
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  • Ned Fall
    I'll be happy to as soon as I finish updating and correcting it. I find at least one new (?) unknown name a month and am always correcting the list. It has been said that Crescent Fire Arms would make as few as twelve guns with some name on them as long as the buyer paid for the die made up to stamp the name on the gun. Not all of these names were recorded. I have several in my collection. The best (or worst) is named a HOO HOO. Now who would name a gun a HOO HOO? I find these gun going through the listings up for auction on the various sites. It takes a little bit of investigation to determine who made the gun.
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  • He Dog
    Thanks, Looking forward to it!
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  • givette
    To Ned Fall: When you compile the list, and post it here, ask the moderators on "Ask the Experts" to make it a permanent sticky. Whenever you have an addition (or deletion) you can refer back to the post and change it as appropriate. We already have references for some of the marques, and yours could only enrich this forum. Just a thought. Joe
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Put My Name on the List also...Be Indebted to You....Best....Captain Kirk
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