Old Shot Spoon

[GH85Carrera]

My dad tells me this belonged to my Uncle. My dad got it after my uncle died and my aunt did not want it in the house with her two boys. The boys are now men and they would likely want it back and I will contact them and find out if they are interested in it.

I was just curious about what the brain trust can tell me about this spoon.









It says Crescent Fire Arms Co Norwich. Conn USA on one side and Peerless Model on the other side. It is serial number 272398 and numbers matching. The serial number is in several places and the number is the same.

I suspect this is mostly a wall hanger antique shotspoon of not much value. I would like to have the input from the brain trust to tell me more about it. About what year was it manufactured and approximate value. It is not going to be sold, but I wanted to tell my cousins something about the gun.

I do remember going rabbit hunting with my uncle back when I was about 12 and he carried that gun. I did fire it way back then but I don't expect to fire it again with modern ammunition.

[abisel]

CRESCENT FIRE ARMS CO. & CRESCENT-DAVIS ARMS CORP.
Previous manufacturers and trademarks manufactured circa 1888-1931 in Norwich, CT.
In 1888, George W. Cilley bought out the defunct Bacon Arms Co. of Norwich, CT. He then formed an alliance with Frank Foster, and borrowed enough money to form the Crescent Fire Arms Company. Cilley and Foster each held several firearms patents, and both were highly qualified in firearms design and manufacture. Production began with single shot tip-up shotguns, which had an external side hammer. Double barrel shotgun production was started in 1891. In 1893, they began making bicycle chains, and that same year, H&D Folsom took over the company's financial control. Early in the 1890s, Crescent built a rifle that resembled the Remington No. 4. A very rare Crescent was the .410 bore shotgun pistol, which was introduced in the 1920s. In 1929, N.R. Davis Firearms Co., then owned by Warner Arms Corp., merged with Cresent to become Crescent-Davis Arms Corp. Because of financial crisis, business continued to decline, and they were forced to sell out. Savage Arms Co. acquired Cresent-Davis in 1931, assembled guns from the remaining parts, and these guns were sold under the Crescent name only. In 1932, the city of Norwich, CT, took over the Crescent property for non-payment of back taxes. After the Norwich facility was closed, manufacture was moved to Chicopee Falls.
It is unknown whether or not Crescent did any high grade or custom work. However, a very well engraved SxS, with the Crescent logo, is known to exist in a private collection.
Crescent Fire Arms Company remains best known as a manufacturer of "house brand" shotguns (i.e., Crescent private labeled guns for retailers, distributors, mail-order houses, etc.). Over 100 different trademarks have been observed to date, manufactured by Crescent. Almost all the remaining specimens today are priced as shooters and have no collector value.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

It is worth more to you than to the general public. I would state this is a very nice shotgun, I would keep it clean and oiled. Doubt I would shoot it.

When I "helped" "The Old Guys" out we would see these type weapons a few times a year. We gave about $100.00 for good, clean versions after multiple attempts to get the people to keep them and pass them down in the family. Majority of people just wanted to sell them. We gave more money than most of the competition. I do not remember us selling any of these type weapons, they went home with someone. I believe the one above might have garnered up to $125.00 in this timeframe.

I hate to put a value on one in this market and seeing as I am 20 years down the road but I doubt more than $300.00. I am sure someone will have a better idea and give more reliable information.

Again, I would urge you to keep it in the family and have ZERO worries about the value. It is irreplaceable and the heritage should be maintained! It is your history and a way to touch the past!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

It is worth more to you than to the general public. I would state this is a very nice shotgun, I would keep it clean and oiled. Doubt I would shoot it.

When I "helped" "The Old Guys" out we would see these type weapons a few times a year. We gave about $100.00 for good, clean versions after multiple attempts to get the people to keep them and pass them down in the family. Majority of people just wanted to sell them. We gave more money than most of the competition. I do not remember us selling any of these type weapons, they went home with someone. I believe the one above might have garnered up to $125.00 in this timeframe.

I hate to put a value on one in this market and seeing as I am 20 years down the road but I doubt more than $300.00. I am sure someone will have a better idea and give more reliable information.

Again, I would urge you to keep it in the family and have ZERO worries about the value. It is irreplaceable and the heritage should be maintained! It is your history and a way to touch the past!

That is 100% my intention.

I suspect one the my Uncles two sons will want it. I will let them decide which of them gets it. If for some reason neither one wants it my brother will happily take it for one of his two sons. I have no real interest in it. The one certainty is it will not be sold by me.

I feel sure it was once my Grandfather's shotgun. He gave it to his only son, my Uncle. I hope it goes to one of his sons.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Hats off to you!

[Buckterrier]

I have one just like it, well will tomorrow. I bought it from David, Targa911S. He made a coach gun from it. As stated above they aren't worth a lot but I wanted it as I live in Norwich, (and just love the old double barreled shotspoons). I also have an old Baker made in Norwich which David repaired for me.

One word of caution... Use low pressure ammo or you'll crack the stock near the side plate.

[targa911S]

^^^^ spot on. Crescent made guns under 280 different names. They were "hardware store" guns and sold for under $20.00 new. Folsom was great at marketing them. For 25 Cents more when they ordered them the retailer could have his name put on them. I have seen lots of different names in my time at the bench. Most of these have been shot to death and are loose and off face. Not suitable for shooting even low power ammunition. I assume this is a 12, but they made 12,16,and 20 ga. as well. The .410 is rare and called The Quail" model. I restored one for fellow pelican about a year ago and posted a thread on the progress. As Mark has said even though it has nitro barrels, it was made in an era that ammunition was only 5,000 - 7,000 ppsi. Modern ammunition is 21,000 ppsi and will break the wood behind the side plates/locks as a result of the recoil. Most are oil soaked there as well adding to the softness of the wood , making matters worse. I see a crack in that place starting already. I would leave it alone. Take it to a smith that knows doubles to see if it is safe to shoot and only shoot it with low pressure ammunition. Go Here to purchase that and get the 2.50" shells. Polywad - Shotgun Shell Developer and Manufacturer - (800) 998-0669

Have fun...be safe.

Oh and Marks Baker is really sweet!

[targa911S]

clean it with a good gun oil and 0000 steel or bronze wool. Brush everything down with RIG including inside the barrels. It will hold the rust at bay.

[Rick V]

The lack of indexed screws shows me that David was not the last one who worked on it

[targa911S]

they for the most part didn't pay attention to that on those guns. I DO on the other hand and the coach gun Mark owns now is a tribute to that. Thanks for the comps!






Sorry for the hijack..

[Buckterrier]

David that thing is purdier than a speckled pup.
Of course the indexed screws are just a classy touch.

And the barrels came out beautiful!

[weseeeee]

I've always liked those old shot guns. Don't get rid of it, each passing year they become harder to find.

[targa911S]

It should be at your FFL tomorrow. I'm happy with the way it came out, I hope you are too. Any probs of course send it to me for warranty work. The barrels are as they should be not shiny Browning like but correct for the period. The screws for the firing pins would not index for me..Oh well..

[Joeaksa]

Very nice! Love the old stuff...

[VincentVega]

Cool piece. I'd love to find something like that in decent shape.