Valient was a trade name used by the Spear and Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on firearms they retailed. The patent date identifies yours as a product of J. Stevens Arms.
You must identify the manufacturer, model, and possibly the serial number as a start. It may get more complicated after that.hartford firs arms co. 169715
Give more info (model number) and ask again.
That is impossible to determine without knowing the manufacturer and model of the shotgun.
From your description, it could date to approximately 1860 or 2002. Are there any markings that might identify the manufacturer/model, etc?
Most likely Belgian
You have to give a manufacturer or trade name and model before the serial number will tell you anything.
If you can send a digital picture of the gun we can properly identify it. sales@countrygunsmith.net
mossberg
Follow manufacturer's instructions.
You first need to identify the actual manufacturer since JC Higgins was a brand name used by Sears to market numerous manufacturer's guns including Winchester, High Standard, Marlin, and others.
no
Savage