[fred cook]

Actually, the earliest known Crown grade is dated 1914. They were made/sold until 1950. There was an accident at the factory in 1945 when a floor collapsed. The decision was made to produce guns out of previously made parts as long as possible. So, all of the "pieces" were made before the event in 1945, but continued to be sold as completed guns until the parts were exhausted in 1950. So, manufacture dates run from about 1913-14 thru 1945.