volunteer

Question
I saw your post answering a question about a Volunteer shotgun.
First just looking at mine and having pretty good knowledge of guns,I would never shoot the one I have. But I'm curious if you could give me a manufacture and round about date of mine.
 s.n.# A644955 thanks

Answer
Hello Dennis.
  The 'Volunteer' shotgun was manufactured by at least three companies, if not more. Crescent Firearms Company Norwich, CT.(most likely), Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Fitchburg, MA. and J.Stevens Arms Company, who acquired Crescent in 1936.
  There have been well over a hundred firearms produced by these companies as 'hardware' guns. You could buy a dozen or so and have your company name stamped on them. The last 'hardware' firearms sold, from my research, were sold by Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1980. Some research shows the possibility of the 'Volunteer' as being manufactured by Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works as the 'Champion' model from 1923 until the 1970's. Serial numbers were not required until the Gun Control Act of 1968. If you can compare your shotgun to one of these Iver Johnson's, this can either confirm it's origin, or it can place it's origin with one of the previously mentioned companies.
  At this time, there is no exact science of dating these 'hardware' guns, unless you know some history behind it, such as, 'it belonged to my great grandfather, or I was given it on my 10th birthday, and I am now 56', etc. I have spent many more hours researching these guns since my first posting about 'hardware' guns, and have found basically the same references.
  I hope this will help somewhat, and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage