History of 12 gauge double-with hammers

illinilefttackle · July 6, 2007, 10:04 AM

I have never posted here before-but I would appreciate any info anyone would have about my old shotgun-I realize you probably get a bunch of these questions, but it's a family heirloom, you know, memories.
It's a double barrel 12 gauge with hammers, it has a lever under the gun that swivels horizontally to open the gun-the only markings I could find are "j.p.wilkinson' on both sides of the gun- under the swivel arm are the numbers 15252. Can anyone help me with finding out the maker, approximate date of manufacture, country of origin,etc? It belonged to my grandfather who was a Blacksmith in LaGrange County Indiana.- thanks-AL

Harley Nolden · July 7, 2007, 03:56 AM

Your gun is what we call a "Hardware Gun" Made by a major mfg of the time, with the name of the Hardware store stamped on the gun. The following is comprised from SXS's of the World by Charles Carder

CRESCENT ARMS

This Company mfg’d good quality, inexpensive side by side and single Bbl shotguns and was founded in 1883. They were bought by the H&D Folsom Arms Company of New York, importers and distributors of firearms and sporting goods.

After the purchase of Crescent, the Folsom Company was able to offer a complete range of shotguns, imported English French, Belgium and American made Crescents. By the turn of the century Crescent Arms produced huge quantities of “Hardware Guns” it produced guns under direct contract to distributors, mail order housed and hardware distributors with any brand name the customer requested. Crescent also produced guns for its parent company, as Folsom house brands that were sold to customers that did not want their own brand name.

By the lat 1890's Crescent was producing basically five grade of dbl bbl shotguns offering a model for most tastes. The Crescent /Folsom Arms Company continued this type of business until 1930 when it merged with Davis Warner Arms Corp and became the Crescent-Davis Arms Corp. In 1932 it assets and machinery were bought by Stevens Arms Company, a victim of changing tastes and the depression.

WILKINSON ARMS COMPANY
TRADE NAME OF THE RICHMOND HARDWARE CO OF RICHMOND VA ON SHOTGUNS MAD BYH&D FOLSOM ARMS

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July 7, 2007, 03:56 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Your gun is what we call a "Hardware Gun" Made by a major mfg of the time, with the name of the Hardware store stamped on the gun. The following is comprised from SXS's of the World by Charles Carder CRESCENT ARMS This Company mfg’d good quality, inexpensive side by side and single Bbl shotguns and was founded in 1883. They were bought by the H&D Folsom Arms Company of New York, importers and distributors of firearms and sporting goods. After the purchase of Crescent, the Folsom Company was able to offer a complete range of shotguns, imported English French, Belgium and American made Crescents. By the turn of the century Crescent Arms produced huge quantities of “Hardware Guns” it produced guns under direct contract to distributors, mail order housed and hardware distributors with any brand name the customer requested. Crescent also produced guns for its parent company, as Folsom house brands that were sold to customers that did not want their own brand name. By the lat 1890's Crescent was producing basically five grade of dbl bbl shotguns offering a model for most tastes. The Crescent /Folsom Arms Company continued this type of business until 1930 when it merged with Davis Warner Arms Corp and became the Crescent-Davis Arms Corp. In 1932 it assets and machinery were bought by Stevens Arms Company, a victim of changing tastes and the depression. WILKINSON ARMS COMPANY TRADE NAME OF THE RICHMOND HARDWARE CO OF RICHMOND VA ON SHOTGUNS MAD BYH&D FOLSOM ARMS