Antique Double Barrel Identification

[Big Boy]

Does any one possibly have any informantion on this gun?

The only thing I know about it is that it had hung on my grandpa's wall and I had adored it since I was a child. When he passed it was given to me. I have never fired it for fear of the strength of the barrel, but it all looks to be in very good condition. It has "Rival 4" engraved inbetween the hammer and trigger. Also it has a old style Damascus steal barrel...

PICS:

 

[Pistol Toter]

Big Boy, I by no means am an expert. But that looks to be a fairly fancy looking old gun; lots of checkering, grip cap spacer and the pistol grip cap looks to ornate. I spent a little time googleing around on it. May I suggest you call Winchester Arms and see if you can find someone to talk to you about your granddads old fouling piece. I am assuming that there is nothing on the barrels. Have you removed the forearm to see if there is anything under there. I also notice that it looks to have no extractors / ejectors, which is kinda of interesting also. Anyway, the only thing I found on google has to relate to Winchester "Rival" shotgun shells which apparently a black powder shell which may point back to the damascus barrels. Good luck in your quest. Fire NO modern shells in that gun, which I'm sure you already know. Perhaps some of the more knowledgeable member will jump on this.

 

[JohnBT]

Crescent Arms used the Rival name, so this could be one of theirs. I'm not at home so I can't look it up the easy way - in a book, the greatest random access device ever created.

Okay, Google it is then...

I found a couple of mentions of Crescent and this one on Folsom, who owned Crescent from the 1890's to about 1930 IIRC.

"Rival: Trade name used by the H. & 0. Folsom Arms Company on firearms made for the VanCamp Hardware and Iron Company of Indianapolis, Indiana."

To make a long story short, Crescent made utilitarian guns for hardware stores and others with whatever name they wanted on them.

Hardware store guns generally bring very little, but there could be a market for a nice one. Of course, I've never seen a nice one in person - they were hunting guns and got used.

John

 

[Dave McCracken]

Harley Nolden's book lists Rival as a brand name used on Crescent shotguns sold to that Van Camp Hardware of Indianapolis. Crescents were sidelocks as this one is.

Crescents were working guns. Few are in this good a shape because they were regarded as tools and used hard.

This may possibly be capable of being fired with light lead loads but PLEASE have a smith check it over first.

Not much monetary worth, but it's an heirloom beyond price. Cherish it and serve as steward for future generations.....

 

[Big Boy]

Thanks for the help guys.