Union Arms SxS 12 Gauge

higgscharger · November 16, 2014, 07:09 PM

Just wanting my research checked.

I got a very beat up old SxS. My research suggests it is probably not worth much, but I want to make sure before I start chopping the barrel with a hack saw.

SxS 12 Gauge
Rabbit ears
Double Trigger

Markings:
Left of the receiver: Union Arms Co.
RIght of the receiver: Belgium
Top of barrel (between barrels on rib): Decarbonized steel
There is also a symbol on the top of each barrel, hard to make out because of the wear.

From waht I have found, this is probably one of many imported guns made by a lot of different people in the first half of the century and are generally low value guns (400-500 in excellent condition) and worth very little in poor condition like mine.

ANy reason to think differently based on this information?

Dreaming100Straight · November 16, 2014, 09:22 PM

Have you seen this. I am guessing that the gun may have been made in Belgium for the Toledo, OH company between 1910 and 1913.

I don't know if you even want to shoot that thing with modern ammunition and especially with smokeless powder. You may first want to read up on Decarbonized Steel and also have the gun checked out by someone knowledgeable in those barrels. Do you even know the proper chamber length?

higgscharger · November 17, 2014, 10:14 AM

Hmmm... that is older than I thought it was, I must have found a different "Union" something rather from the 40-50s.

I did a function test with primer only, both barrels went "POP," so that part works at least.

My plan was to shorten the barrel and use this for cowboy action shooting, which means 50 rounds every month or two. At that rate, I could probably afford some of the black powder or reduced load ammo that is available.

BUt, I will make sure that I have a more knowledgeable person take a look at it before I even go that far.

RJay · November 20, 2014, 09:02 PM

H&D Folsom did use the trade name on Crescent made shotguns and Crescent went out of sight in the 1930's. However, trade names many times belonged to the retailer and they could use it on as many different shotguns as they desired. Outside hammers went out of style in the early 1900's prior to WWI. You said your shotgun is marked Belgium then it was made prior to WW I. It also could very possibly have 2 5/8 chambers. With short chambers and old steel I would be careful .

November 16, 2014, 07:09 PM	#1
higgscharger Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Posts: 52	Union Arms SxS 12 Gauge Just wanting my research checked. I got a very beat up old SxS. My research suggests it is probably not worth much, but I want to make sure before I start chopping the barrel with a hack saw. SxS 12 Gauge Rabbit ears Double Trigger Markings: Left of the receiver: Union Arms Co. RIght of the receiver: Belgium Top of barrel (between barrels on rib): Decarbonized steel There is also a symbol on the top of each barrel, hard to make out because of the wear. From waht I have found, this is probably one of many imported guns made by a lot of different people in the first half of the century and are generally low value guns (400-500 in excellent condition) and worth very little in poor condition like mine. ANy reason to think differently based on this information?

November 20, 2014, 09:02 PM	#4
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	H&D Folsom did use the trade name on Crescent made shotguns and Crescent went out of sight in the 1930's. However, trade names many times belonged to the retailer and they could use it on as many different shotguns as they desired. Outside hammers went out of style in the early 1900's prior to WWI. You said your shotgun is marked Belgium then it was made prior to WW I. It also could very possibly have 2 5/8 chambers. With short chambers and old steel I would be careful . __________________ Ron James

November 16, 2014, 09:22 PM	#2
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	Have you seen this. I am guessing that the gun may have been made in Belgium for the Toledo, OH company between 1910 and 1913. I don't know if you even want to shoot that thing with modern ammunition and especially with smokeless powder. You may first want to read up on Decarbonized Steel and also have the gun checked out by someone knowledgeable in those barrels. Do you even know the proper chamber length?

November 17, 2014, 10:14 AM	#3
higgscharger Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Posts: 52	Hmmm... that is older than I thought it was, I must have found a different "Union" something rather from the 40-50s. I did a function test with primer only, both barrels went "POP," so that part works at least. My plan was to shorten the barrel and use this for cowboy action shooting, which means 50 rounds every month or two. At that rate, I could probably afford some of the black powder or reduced load ammo that is available. BUt, I will make sure that I have a more knowledgeable person take a look at it before I even go that far.