value of a 20 gauge shotgun

Question
QUESTION: I have a 20 gauge, full choke Davis and Davis shotgun that was my father's.  I believe he had it as a young man, which would have been as early as the late 1920's or mid 1930's.  I was wondering what the value may be.

ANSWER: Leland,

I think I may need more information.  Can you please provide me the exact name of the manufacturer and model number on the barrel of the shotgun.  There was an Davis, N. R. & Company, Davis, N.R. and Sons, Davis & Bozeman, Davis Industries and Davis-Warner Arms Corporation, but I am not aware of any "Davis and Davis".

Can you give me a little more info so I can better assist you?

Thanks,

Doug



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Doug,

The only markings on the gun say "20" "N. R. smith & Sons" "Diana" "Davis Warner Arms Corp." "Norwich, Conn. U. S. A."

I hope this help you!

Leland

Answer
Leland,

Great, that helps a lot.  One last question, is it a single shot or a side by side double barrel.

Cheers,

Doug

Leland,

I got such a quick reply from you, I thought you were online.  Rather than wait, I'll just give you the answers to both situations.

First a little background.  Crescent ultimately ended up owning the company that made your Dad's shotgun.  N.R. Davis was in business from roughly 1888 to 1929 in Norwich, CT.  In 1929, the N.R. Davis Firearms Co. which was owned by Warner Arms Corporation, then merged with Crescent to become Crescent-Davis Arms Corp.  From the sounds of things, your Dad got his shotgun prior to the merger of Crescent and Davis/Warner Arms, so the gun was made prior to 1929.

Based on what you have told me I can give you a range of values based on condition.  To really accurate grade it, you'd need to have someone expert in the valuation of firearm look at it, but considering the average values it probably isn't worth it.  Most of these firearms are valued as 'shooters' not as 'collectable'.

For the single shot you can figure a specimen in 98% condition would be valued at around $115.  95%=$100, 90%=$90, 80%=$80.  This for the 20 gauge.  12 gauge is actually less by about 15%.

For the side by side you are looking at the following:

98%=$265, 95%=$230, 90%=$200, 80%=$170

This assumes that they are the standard models with double triggers, original finish and in 100% working order.

Hope this helps you out...

Best regards,

Doug