How can you find out when your JC Higgins shotgun was made?

Answer 1

The J.C. Higgins trade name was used by Sears, Roebuck & Company of Chicago from 1946 to 1962 on firearms and other sporting goods.

Arms bearing this tradename were manufactured by a variety of American gunmakers.

The 16 gauge was made by Marlin, the .410 by Harrington & Richardson. The .22 by Savage/Stevens. Assuming all guns are fully functional but not in like-new condition, they are worth about $80, $150, and $100.

583 on a Sears Roebuck gun means it was manufactured by Hi Standard. Bolt action shotguns aren't very popular, so I would say it is worth no more than $100.

A single shot bolt action 20 gauge might be worth around 65-75 dollars in good shape.

According to SearsArchives.com answering "Was J.C. Higgins a real person?":

"As a matter of fact, he was. John Higgins began his career at Sears in 1898. He worked his way up the corporate ladder to take charge of the headquarters office bookkeepers before retiring in 1930. He died in 1950. During discussions of possible brand names for a new line of Sears sporting goods, Higgins� name was proposed. He gave his consent and, because he had no middle name, the "C" was added for effect. As far as we can determine, the J.C. Higgins name first appeared on baseballs and gloves in the 1908 catalog." some one is mistaken the 583 code on jc Higgins House brand every one seems to think it means High standard taht is simply not the case all of the JC Higgins guns made buy Sears at that time Sears owned High standard how Ever all ot shotguns 583 1 to 583 12 were made by Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. For Sears /High standard Sears had bought the right to the gun from H&R That is why you will not see the model 10 bolt action in the sears catalog till 1949 The model 10 is even listed by High standard collectors as a High standard model How Ever it was not It was a Sears model sears owned in fact it was one only hand full of orphan guns that are actually real sears guns So back to 583 That originally meant sears and roebuck house brand product made in house all other guns were vender gun and had vender ID 103 meant marlin 101 meant savage /Stevens Vendors sold Sears the same product they sold for them selves with exception that every thing they sold Sears had the Sears name on it But with High standard they were not allowed to sell their shotguns some of there hand guns to any body but Sears Sears controled some of the product it was not until the late 50s and early 60s that high standard ability to sell their own shotguns and 22 rifles Here is Sears answer on old product manuals: http://www.searsarchives.com/products/questions/manuals.htm

JC Higgins Sporting goods line ran from 1908 to 1961 replaced Ted Williams line