They didn't. Empire Arms Company was a trade name used on revolvers sold by Sears Roebuck. They were manufactured by Fyrberg Arms, Meriden Arms, and Crescent Fire Arms, and possibly other companies, perhaps including Iver Johnson.
Trade name used by Sears. No production data.
The value of an Empire State Arms 12 gauge shotgun depends on its condition. As of September 20141 this gun sells at auction for around 30 dollars.
There is no Kalashnakov arms company - Russian weaponry is manufactured by state owned arsenals in Russia.
In 1983, the company was purchased by Iver Johnson Arms of Jacksonville, AR, but remained a separate division as Universal Firearms in Hialeah until closed and liquidated by Iver Johnson Arms in 1987.
Eastern Arms Company was a trade name used by Sears Roebuck. The guns were manufactured by Meriden Arms, Iver Johnson, Stevens, Savage, and probably others.
No one, since the company only existed as a Sears Roebuck tradename. These guns were made by Meriden Fire Arms Co, J. Stevens Arms Co, Andrew Fyrberg & Co, Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works, and probably other manufacturers.
This was a trade name sold by Belknap Hardware. Manufacturers included Crescent Fire Arms, Crescent-Davis Arms, Davis-Warner Arms, Iver Johnson, and J. Stevens A&T Co.
These guns were manufactured by Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Company. You might check your local library for any reference books on that company.
The company existed with that name from 1871 to 1987. A great source of information on Iver Johnson firearms is the book by W.E. Goforth titled, "Iver-Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Firearms 1871-1993".
Turn of the century
10-90 usd
10-100 USD or so