What is the age of a Crescent Firearms model 60 hammerless .410 caliber shotgun with serial 50238?

Answer 1

Made sometime between 1893 and 1930. Being a .410, probably not before 1920 and certainly not before 1900. The price is going to depend on configuration and condition. A double barrel .410 in absolutely like new condition might be worth $400 or more. A single shot worn out, rusted, or broken about $5.

More input:

• Crescent introduced hammerless guns to it's inventory in 1904. I don't have a firm date for the introduction of the .410 shotgun shell, but I believe it was about that same time. To qualify as an antique as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968, it must have been made before midnight, December 31, 1998. Since there are no serial number records from Crescent, there is no way to verify the actual year of manufacture, so if the model was made after that date, they assume that your gun was NOT made before then. And as for the value, these were hardware-store guns, there were millions of them sold in the early 20th century, so those few collectors who want one have many to choose from and only the most well-preserved will bring a high price. Some may still be useable, but if you wanted a gun to shoot, you can get a NEW utility grade single shot for $75 or double barrel for $250, so why would you pay more for an old one?

• Empire was a trade name used by Sears Roebuck c. 1920-1930.