Volunteer Arms Co?

[Puddle Pirate]

I inherited an older single barrel break open shotgun, and I was wondering if anyone has any information on the company. On the left side of the reciever, roughly centered is the words "Volunteer Arms Co". No other markings except the serial #527XXX, which is on the bottom of the stock, just behind the trigger guard. It is also stamped into the bottom of the barrel, and the burned into the hidden part of the fore stock. Any help appreciated, the gun belonged to my great-grandpa at one point, but I don't know if he was the original owner.

 

[Harley Nolden]

Puddle Pirate:
Your shotgun is made for Belknap of St Louis KY, by Crescent Arms. The actual year of mfg cannot be determined as the Champion was produced as ealy as 1900.


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

[This message has been edited by Harley Nolden (edited February 18, 2000).]