ohio valley firearms
a guy showed me a single barrel 12 guage damascas twist shotgun, with ohio valley firearms stamped on it. he asked if i knew anything about them, i said no. so does anyone have ANY information about them?
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While I have no listing for a gun with that name, it most assuredly is a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. That is a shotgun made by a major maker usually on contract to and for a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. There was no Ohio Valley Firearms Company. We will be guessing as to who made the gun but we usually blame Crescent Fire Arms Co. of Norwich,CT (1892 to 1932) to be the maker. There were a lot of these guns made in Europe, mostly Belgium between 1880 and 1914. Look on the bottom of the barrel under the forearm (hand guard) for any proof marks. A Belgian proof mark consists of the letters "ELG" in an oval with a crown over that. Lack of any proofs indicates the gun was made in the United States. Value? These guns were inexpensive utility grade shotguns selling for as little as $10.00 new. Their value today depends on condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. Value can range from a high of about $150.00 for an excellent condition example to less than $10.00 for a rusty, rotten, incomplete piece of junk fir for a tent peg.
These guns were designed for the ammunition in use at the time which was either black powder or very early low pressure smokeless powder loaded shells. They are not safe to shoot using modern high pressure smokeless powder ammunition. Don't attempt it!0 -
I would like to add this name to my listing of over 600 different names that were used (1890 to 1940). Would you please check with your friend and see if there are any other markings on the gun and if possible post a photo? Thanks. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ned Fall
I would like to add this name to my listing of over 600 different names that were used (1890 to 1940). Would you please check with your friend and see if there are any other markings on the gun and if possible post a photo? Thanks.
Yes. Eagerly awaiting your list! Best, Joe0 -
this may or may not be relative, but there was a small manufacturer in marietta ohio, back in the 70's 80's who made black powder guns, and replicas, I can not remember the name but this may be them, I think they were later bought out by one of the big boys. there is a pistol listed here locally that was made by them, will try to look it up and get the name. 0 -
I have one of these that was given to me by my father. I think he had bought it at a yard sale years ago for something like $15.
There are no markings under the forstock and the only other thing stamped on it (other than Ohio Valley Arms Co.) is (*Choke Bored* Pat'd. Dec 11. 1900)
Here are some links to the pics that I have of it:
http://s655.photobucket.com/albums/uu275/ROEGUN/Ohio Valley Arms Shotgun/?action=view&current=Gun012.jpg
http://s655.photobucket.com/albums/uu275/ROEGUN/Ohio Valley Arms Shotgun/?action=view&current=Gun013.jpg
I wish I knew more about these shotguns - kind of a neat old bugger.0 -
Thanks for the pictures. I can tell you that the gun was made by Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich,CT (1892 to 1931) Who or for I have no idea. The gun is commonly referred to as a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun which is one made by a major maker for and sold by a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. Crescent Fire Arms was the biggest maker ever of such guns. It has been said that Crescent 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 find at least one (new?) unknown name a month. This is the second one this month. Value" These guns were inexpensive when new selling for from $15.00 to $25.00. The haven't gone up that much since. The can sell for about $175 if in factory new condition to less than $10 if a rusty rotten incomplete piece of junk fit only for a tomato stake. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tabenwah
I have one of these that was given to me by my father. I think he had bought it at a yard sale years ago for something like $15.
There are no markings under the forstock and the only other thing stamped on it (other than Ohio Valley Arms Co.) is (*Choke Bored* Pat'd. Dec 11. 1900)
Here are some links to the pics that I have of it:
http://s655.photobucket.com/albums/uu275/ROEGUN/Ohio Valley Arms Shotgun/?action=view&current=Gun012.jpg
http://s655.photobucket.com/albums/uu275/ROEGUN/Ohio Valley Arms Shotgun/?action=view&current=Gun013.jpg
I wish I knew more about these shotguns - kind of a neat old bugger.
Stainless steel??0 -
quote:Originally posted by fishkiller41
Stainless steel??
Bubba has got his hands on it. The metal has been polished bright and the wood has been refinished. It makes for a really pretty wallhanger.
It don't make a heck a lot of difference for a old Crescent made single. But I have seen a bunch of really big buck collectors items absolutely ruined buy some shade tree gunsmith and his buffing wheels.[:(]0 -
Joe I keep asking Ned to post his list here, but there is never a reply. "Trade Brand Name" is as far as I can tell, solely his term for the shotgus made by Crescent and others with names requested by the buyers. Usually they are called "trade named." 0 -
He Dog
I'd like nothing more than to post the over 600 different "Trade Brand Names" that I have come up with but I haven't figured out a way to input the information into my computer other than typing them out one by one. Besides I sell the book listing. If you are interested contact me by E-mail at Nedfall@comcast.net.0
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