volunteer 12 gauge serial#213717

Question
can you give me any info. on this rifle. I'm interested in the history and the value of the gun for my family.

Answer
Hello Yvonne. Your "Volunteer" shotgun was manufactured by Crescent Fire Arms Company after joining with N.R.Davis and H.∓Folsum, becoming Crescent-Davis. After Crescent amalgamated with H.∓Folsom, the list of names turned into more than a hundred. H.∓Folsom was located at 312-314  Broadway, New York,NY and imported and distributed firearms from about 1880 to 1930.Your "Volunteer" model was one of Crescent made or Folsom imports models.Most of the product line not only carried their own company name, but they carried dozens and dozens of hardware stores, mail-order catalogs, sporting goods stores,and many other retail and wholesale gun dealer, each engraved or stamped with their individual trade name or names.Add to this various grades, and suddenly there are vast numbers of essentially the same shotgun, all with different names engraved on them.GUNSMITH ALERT!! Made largely with Damascus, twist or laminated-steel barrels, virtually none are safe to shoot as they are.These were made with hammers or hammerless versions. No matter how good of condition they are,they hold very little if any collector's interest. Therefore, I will put a price of $50-$100 dollars. Parts are not available anymore and this lessons the value considerable. If your gunsmith deems it safe to shoot, use it. If not, do as I have done many times, make a shadow box or lamp out of it. I hope I have answered your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage