Author Topic: Just bought a Crescent Arms double.  (Read 856 times)

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Offline JS44

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Just bought a Crescent Arms double.
« on: April 02, 2005, 03:00:26 PM »
Hi,
This is my first SXS shotgun. I got it at a gun show today. It's a hammerless 12 gauge and appears to be choked M&F with 30" barrels (not damascus as far as i can tell). Sideplates are marked "Crescent Fire Arms Co. Norwich Conn. USA", on one plate and, "Peerless" on the other. No markings on the barrel that I can see except the serial number, a few 3's and a crescent moon shape. The pistol grip is checkered and has a grip cap. The forend is checkered, too, and has a takedown latch. Overall it appears to be in quite good shape and locks up tight. I don't know very much at all about double barrels, this being my first,  but I have other guns and shoot regularly. This gun will be shot to some extent. Now for the questions. Theres a rattling sound in the stock or receiver that I can't figure out. I tip it foreward or back and I hear something sliding a short distance and stopping. I started to take the stock off but I don't know what screws hold the stock on and which are for the internal workings of the receiver. Everything works so I have no idea what's loose in there.
There is no big bolt that holds the stock to the reciever that's accessed from the buttplate like a pump has. Also, what can you tell me about Crescent Arms?
Thanks
JS

Offline mjbgalt

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Just bought a Crescent Arms double.
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2005, 05:43:53 PM »
the sliding may just be the firing pin(s).

maybe check on gunbroker and see if you can find others like it and then email the sellers and get the info that way.


-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline JS44

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Just bought a Crescent Arms double.
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2005, 01:18:17 AM »
mjbgalt ,
I'm an idiot and you're right. It WAS the firing pins making that noise!!! The last thing I would've thought of yet so obvious. I've never had any gun that the firing pin could be heard sliding back and forth like that.
I'm going to try it out on the trap range next weekend.
Thanks.
JS

Offline mjbgalt

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Just bought a Crescent Arms double.
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2005, 06:58:58 AM »
it was just a passing thought, as the doubles i have used do that too.

-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline Shorty

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Just bought a Crescent Arms double.
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2005, 12:22:23 PM »
JS44,
"Crescent Firearms Co. Meridan and Norwich, Conn.  Ca. 1890's-1930's.  Acquired by H.D. Folsom Arms Co. Ca. 1893.  Eventually absorbed by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., Mass. Ca. 1932.  Manufacturers of large quantities of low and medium priced shotguns under their own house and various trade names."
Ref: Flayderman's Guide.

Offline JS44

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Just bought a Crescent Arms double.
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2005, 02:18:11 PM »
Shorty & Matt,
Thanks for the info. I have an old 1964 Gun Digest and in the back of it is the gun section taken from a 1908 Sears catalog. Meridian and Norwich are advertised there and a few others like T. Barker, A.J. Aubrey and the better know ones but not Crescent. I've seen Crescent referenced elsewhere, though.
An L.C. Smith SXS with armory steel barrels was $25 and a Winchester 97 was $21.60 in 1908!!
With your help now I know something about my gun's pedigree.
Thanks again.
JS :D