(Great?) Grand-dad's Gun

[Kalos]

Tonight I came home to find something quite unexpected--a beautiful, obviously old, single-shot shotgun laying on the dining room table. It turns out that it belonged to either my grandfather or great-grandfather originally... so I'm naturally a little curious as to its history.

It's stamped "Essex Gun Works" on the side, with a serial number (which matches on those parts I've seen it) of 240xxx. That's all I know about it... I do have pictures, but I'm having trouble getting them resized at the moment--will post later.

(Incidentally, if that's not enough SN, let me know--I'm not well versed at this old gun thing. )

 

[Kalos]

Incidentally, I'm not looking for this to be a big money collectors item... just curious as to when it was made, mostly.

 

[Zak Smith]

I found this

Essex Gun Works: Trade name used by the Crescent - Davis Firearms Company on shotguns
made for the Belknap Hardware Company of Louisville, Kentucky.

and this

The Essex shotguns were made by a variety of manufacturers for sale by the Belknap Hardware Company in Louisville KY. c. 1840 to date. They have no real collector value.

and this

I am unsure of the Essex Gun Works marking, but I believe your shotgun is the "Essex" house brand name used by the Crescent Fire Arms Co. for the Belknap Hardware Company of Louisville Kentucky. In 1893 Folsom purchased the Crescent Fire Arms Co. of Norwich CT. who were makers and importers of single and double barrel shotguns. The original Crescent made guns were sold until 1895 after which the guns were offered under the Folsom brand name, American Gun Co. Check your barrel for proof marks, if they are present your gun was imported.

-z

 

[Mike Irwin]

Word of warning!

If you want to shoot this gun, you MUST have a gunsmith measure the chamber first to ensure that it's not chambered for one of the old length shotshells such as the 2 1/2 or 2 7/16 rounds.

Firing a 2 3/4 or larger shell could result in a bulged barrel, or worse.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Congrats and Mazeltov on your heirloom. Let me echo friend Mike. Touching off a modern round in this may be neither fun nor safe. Let a competent smith check it out and let you know if it's safe to shoot and with what ammo.

Chances are it's an artifact of bygone days rather than a modern meat making tool. Enjoy it as that...

 

[Mike Irwin]

Hey Dave,

You going to join us for shotgunning and handgunning on the 11th?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Aw $%^&*(!! Booked solid, darn it. These 60 hour weeks are putting a damper on my shooting.

Thnaks for the headsup, maybe next time...