Tufts Lyons Arms Co.

[orygunmike]

I have my grandfather's shotgun. It is a double barrel 10-gauge. The markings on the gun say: "Tufts Lyons Arms Co" No. 18"

I was told years ago that the gun was made in the early 20th century (e.g. 1905)

I have found nothing on the Tufts Lyons Arms Co. Is anyone familiar with this company, or know anything about their firearms?

thank you
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[Ron James]

Surprise , surprise, There was such an animal located in Los Angeles, Ca. The Tufts Lyons Arms Company was in business at least until 1906, They even had their own base ball club, the The Tuft Lyons, what else. However I believe they were a retail sporting goods chain not really a gun maker. They sold sporting goods of all types. I believe you have a Trade name shotgun. A trade name is one that has a name other than the maker. In the modern context think Sears and JC Higgins or Wards and Westernfield. These two stores sold firearms with the Stores brand and not the maker. One thing you can do. Pull the forearm and look for proof marks, since the U S did not have a national proof house any proof marks would show it to be made in Europe, probable in Belgium. If there are no proof marks then the shotgun was made in the US, by who, don't know? In that time period there were a number of arms makers that were willing to mark their shotguns with someone else's name. One of the biggest makers shotguns, Crescent Firearms Co, can be found with over two hundred different Trade names. For as small an order of only 15 shotguns and you pay for the die used in the roll marking, you could have any name you so desired roll marked on the barrel. Example, If your name was Joe Smith and you owned Joe Smith's hardware store, you could sell shotguns marked " Joe Smith's Firearm Co". Impressed the hell out of the locals who thought you had your own Firearms Company, If there are no other markings at all on your shotgun the actual maker may never be known. You might go to a few gun shows and try and match it up with a shotgun that is marked with the makers name or one that the maker is known, Best I can do, anyone else?

 

[orygunmike]

Mr. Ron James

Most interesting...and informative

thanks much for that lesson in shotgunnery....

My grandparents were both born/raised in the Los Angeles area...and lived on farms in the early 20th century...so that makes sense

thanks again