How do you find information on Crescent Firearms shotguns?

Answer 1

Crescent operated from 1893 to 1930. There doesn't seem to be any source to pinpoint dates of manufacture by serial numbers. Crescent was a subsidiary of H&D Folsom Sporting Goods, New York. Many of their products were sold through Folsom's retail outlets, but Folsom was also a large wholesale dealer and many Crescent guns were marked with the names or trademarks of other retail chains and even independent hardware stores. Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co, Chicago (1882-1962), retailed the Victor shotguns which were manufactured by Crescent Arms, Norwich, CT (1893-1930).

Crescent manufactured shotguns from 1888 to 1940. They sold a million utility shotguns that were "branded" by hardware stores and the like. Typical value is $85 to $150.

I have a single-shot, short-barreled (19") shotgun called "New River." I believe it was manufactured by Crescent and sold in the Hinton, West Virginia area, which is on the New River. The gun carries a serial number of A168XXX and was bought second hand around 1916. Anyone know of another "New River" shotgun?

New River is not in Vorisek's book of shotgun markings, and it contains the most complete listing of old trade names I have found. It seems that Crescent and other suppliers would mark guns with any name a retailer requested if they would pay a couple dollars to make the stamp. There may be some names that only appeared on a dozen or less pieces, but there are few collectors of old utility shotguns, so a rare name on a common shotgun will not bring any premium.

Is it possible that your shotgun is actually marked 'New Rival'? Crescent built shotguns for Van Camp Hardware & Iron Co under the names 'Compeer,' 'New Rival' and perhaps 'Rival' and/or 'Rival #3.'

Question actually im new here and i will learn the site soon but my question is i have a 1910 nitro hunter single short barrol wondering what value might be i have researched and seen about $200 + but then again! any help would be appriciated thanks.

I have an American Gun Company double with external hammers. The best I can tell is it is also made by Crescent. However, this gun is unique in that it was a STAGE gun, (probably Stage Coach) at Ft. Bliss Texas for Well Fargo and co. It has a shield letter with W.F> & Co. Express 1891. It has 23 in several places which must have been an inventory number. There are some other markings on the stock that identify it as a Wells Fargo gun but the only markings on the receiver say American Gun Company. It needs a Top Snap Spring and I'm lost trying to find another gun of similar manufacture.

Crescent built shotguns under the name American Gun Company Ca. 1900 for Sears Roebuck. No Crescent built shotguns were used by Wells Fargo and in fact very few shot guns were used by Wells Fargo period, Unfortunately large numbers of counterfeits have been produced and sold with markings and badges and so on. Saw one for sale at a gunshow about a momth ago with the American Gun Co. name on it. Sorry!