While we are on the subject of Hardware store guns: I recently purchased a Central Arms Co. 16 gauge hammer gun with fluid steel bbls and case color action that was of course manufactured by Crescent for Shapleigh Hardware Co. in St. Louis MO. Unfortunately I have hit a dead end at this point. I would like to know when it was manufactured but have not been able to locate any serialization information. The SN is 388158. If someone could tell me the year of Manufacture and maybe even a model name I would be thankful. It is the best condition hardware store gun I have seen with 80-90% CC and 90+% barrel blue and at least 90% original varnish. Not the quality of Parker, L.C. Smith, etc. of course. The trigger pull was terrible but by polishing the sears and triggers I was able to get it down to a manageable pull. I will probably need to harden the sears and take a little off the tumblers to get it any better. The only number other than the SN stamped anywhere on this gun is a "1" on the bottom of the barrel lug.
Thanks in advance,
Kurt
Last edited by Kurt D; 02/28/08 11:53 AM.