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Utica Firearms Company.

curs12
I aquired a Double barrel that says Utica Firearms company on it and nothing else at all. It does have a number stamped on the trigger gaurd but thats it. I'm curious how a person would find year of manufacure on it etc. Also if it is safe to shoot it looks to be in excellent shape. thanks alot.
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  • nord
    Safe to fire??? Maybe or maybe not.

    "Utica" is generally accepted as a trade name and never manufactured guns as a company. Savage was located in Utica, NY and there's some opinion of a connection... I don't know the true facts about this one.

    There was a discussion on another board some time ago in regard to this very subject. It opined that "Utica" was a trade name used by either a southern or mid-western hardware outfit. As I remember the contributor was of the belief that "Utica" could be found on anything from inexpensive domestic and Belgian guns to some rather nice offerings.

    Domestic offerings will have no proofs under the tubes. Belgian guns will be stamped with variations of "ELG". And now it gets more complicated...

    Guns of damascus-type construction are generally considered unsafe to shoot. Only after a qualified inspection can one expect to fire them AND ONLY WITH BLACK POWDER OR APPROVED LOADS. More modern guns may have a nitro proof and be of fluid steel construction. Depending on age their chambers may be too short for modern loads, or they may only be designed for the smokeless powers of a century past. Again, a trip to a qualified smith.

    Generally I'd consider a trade gun to be pretty low on the value ladder. Only a very special piece will rate much attention.

    Chances of finding any detailed info about the gun are almost nil as there isn't any interest in the collector community.

    Nord
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  • rufe-snow
    My reference note that "Utica Fire Arms Co" is a Trade Name used by the Simmons Harware Co. of St. Louis. MO.

    Simmons was in business from the last quarter of the 19th Century until 1930.

    Your shotgun could have been made by either foreign or U S manufacturers for Simmons. If you could give us all the markings or proofmarks on the shotgun, perhaps we could narrow it down. If it doesn't have any other markings it was probably made in the US by Crescent?

    Take it to a QUALIFIED Gunsmith, for inspection and test fireing before useing it.

    luger_4.jpg
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