Help I.D. ing an old 12g

[Hunt&Hook]

I recieved *most* of an old 12g from an old neighbor of mine.

It is a hinge action hammer type with a 30" barrel. The only markings are

*CHOKE BORED* Pat'd Dec. 11,1900* (on top of the barrel.)

ST.LAWRENCE (on the right side of the reciever.)

I googled it, but came up short. It is missing the wood, so that's all the ifo I can give. I'd just like to know some history behind it, manufacturer etc..

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sharptail]

Given the patent date and a lack of proof marks (if indeed there are no proof marks), I think you might have a J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. patent shotgun. Stevens guns were manufactured in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts until 1916. In 1920 the plant and the name were purchased by Savage, who continued to use the Stevens name until about 1990. Along the way they picked up Crescent firearms as well.

The guns were sold under a variety of names including Stevens, Crescent, and a host of hardware store and retail names. I suspect that "St. Lawrence" is one of those names. No matter what the name, they all bore the "Pat'd Dec. 11,1900" stamp.

I do not know for sure, but I think that the single barrel hammer gun was produced in various forms until the onset of the depression.


Sharptail

 

[MD]

Wow!

I have one too!

It was my father's and he got it off a great-uncle. They were from Quebec. I've never heard of anyone else having one.