1892 double barrel shotgun

Ternan · May 13, 2001, 04:11 AM

I cannot find any information on this shotgun that I received from my father:

It says: Pieper Arms Co., on the barrels the words stamped are "patent 488366 DECB 20 1892" also left barrel has "choke" and "laminated steel" and "Belgium" stamped. The right barrel has "Modified Diana" stamped on it. This has a double hammer, double trigger and a wooden stock, walnut maybe?

I can't find out anything on Pieper Arms Co., I have the new gun book. So, I don't know how much this is worth, and I am only just starting to really learn about guns. The gun does look very cool!

Thanks!!!

Harley Nolden · May 13, 2001, 07:46 AM

Ternan:
I cannot find anything specific about the Pieper Arms Co. however, from your description I would assume that your shotgun is one, of many, that was made by a major gun company for someone who wanted their name on a shotgun. They were commonly called "Hardware Guns." Many imported from Belgium. Here is the story of the "Hardward Guns."

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

HJN

fal308 · May 14, 2001, 07:45 AM

According to Side by Sides of the World by Charles E. Carder;
Pieper was founded by Henri Pieper in Leige, Belguim in 1884 and taken over in 1898 by Nicolas Pieper. In 1905 , they become known as ANCIENS ETABLISSMENTS PIEPER of Herstal, Belguim. Peiper guns were made in several grades with most being mediocre quality.
Diana grade; Back Action sidelock, outside hammers, double triggers, Krupp barrels, fancy English checkered wood, splinter forend, crossbolt, side clips, case color frame, top lever opening.

Ternan · May 14, 2001, 02:20 PM

Thanks for your information

Does this mean that Pieper Arms Co. has nothing to do with Crescent?

Also do you have any idea how much this gun would be worth? It doesn't have checkered wood, but the wood is in real good shape. Overall, I would say the shotgun is in about 70% condition.

Thanks,

Ternan

James K · May 18, 2001, 04:25 PM

While Crescent made many double shotguns under a number of names, it was an American company. Pieper was Belgian; AFAIK, there was no connection.

Laminated steel is a version of so-called Damascus. Damascus was made of iron and steel bars wrapped around a mandrel and welded by heating red hot. Laminated steel was made by essentially the same welding process, but was made by building up small iron and steel plates. Barrels made by either method should not be fired; they tend to come apart at the seams.

Some people insist Damascus and Laminated barrels are safe, to which I reply - OK, YOU shoot them. And that goes for those super English doubles as well; they can and do blow. Hang them on the wall!

Jim

May 14, 2001, 02:20 PM	#4
Ternan Junior Member Join Date: May 13, 2001 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 2	1892 shotgun Thanks for your information Does this mean that Pieper Arms Co. has nothing to do with Crescent? Also do you have any idea how much this gun would be worth? It doesn't have checkered wood, but the wood is in real good shape. Overall, I would say the shotgun is in about 70% condition. Thanks, Ternan

May 13, 2001, 04:11 AM	#1
Ternan Junior Member Join Date: May 13, 2001 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 2	I cannot find any information on this shotgun that I received from my father: It says: Pieper Arms Co., on the barrels the words stamped are "patent 488366 DECB 20 1892" also left barrel has "choke" and "laminated steel" and "Belgium" stamped. The right barrel has "Modified Diana" stamped on it. This has a double hammer, double trigger and a wooden stock, walnut maybe? I can't find out anything on Pieper Arms Co., I have the new gun book. So, I don't know how much this is worth, and I am only just starting to really learn about guns. The gun does look very cool! Thanks!!!

May 13, 2001, 07:46 AM	#2
Harley Nolden Staff In Memoriam Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Brunswick,GA USA Posts: 1,884	Ternan: I cannot find anything specific about the Pieper Arms Co. however, from your description I would assume that your shotgun is one, of many, that was made by a major gun company for someone who wanted their name on a shotgun. They were commonly called "Hardware Guns." Many imported from Belgium. Here is the story of the "Hardward Guns." 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 HJN

May 14, 2001, 07:45 AM	#3
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	According to Side by Sides of the World by Charles E. Carder; Pieper was founded by Henri Pieper in Leige, Belguim in 1884 and taken over in 1898 by Nicolas Pieper. In 1905 , they become known as ANCIENS ETABLISSMENTS PIEPER of Herstal, Belguim. Peiper guns were made in several grades with most being mediocre quality. Diana grade; Back Action sidelock, outside hammers, double triggers, Krupp barrels, fancy English checkered wood, splinter forend, crossbolt, side clips, case color frame, top lever opening.

May 18, 2001, 04:25 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	While Crescent made many double shotguns under a number of names, it was an American company. Pieper was Belgian; AFAIK, there was no connection. Laminated steel is a version of so-called Damascus. Damascus was made of iron and steel bars wrapped around a mandrel and welded by heating red hot. Laminated steel was made by essentially the same welding process, but was made by building up small iron and steel plates. Barrels made by either method should not be fired; they tend to come apart at the seams. Some people insist Damascus and Laminated barrels are safe, to which I reply - OK, YOU shoot them. And that goes for those super English doubles as well; they can and do blow. Hang them on the wall! Jim