You have two shotguns that were your Grand fathers One is a forehand single barrel with a patent date of 16 aug 81 The other is a New York arms co double barrel?

Answer 1

The Forehand Arms Co. Produced guns under their own name and brand name guns for Sears Roebuck. They were in existence from about 1872 until sometime in the late 1890's or early 1900's (I believe) when they were acquired by Hopkins & Allen. Your shotgun was probably made sometime after 1890. Those made before that date were probably marked "Forehand & Wadsworth".

The New York Arms Co. was a brand name applied by Cresent Arms for the Garnet-Carter Co. of Chattanooga, Tenn. Cresent Arms was the manufacturing arm of the H & D Folsom Co. of New York N. Y. They manufactured and imported shotguns for sale in the U. S. until about 1930. They made low cost, but serviceable, shotguns for the trade. They would put any name you wanted on a gun if you paid for the steel stamp, hence "New York Arms Co.".

Now for the disclaimer: Most of the above info. is, in my estimation, somewhat iffy as most of the records of these companies has long since been lost or destyroyed.

Neither of these shotguns have much value unless they are in very good condition, smaller guages would be a plus. If you have an urge to shoot them you should have them checked by a competent gunsmith first.