John M. Smyth shotgun

Question
Thank you very much for the info.  I am not looking to sell but pass it down to my son and I did not want it to be of great value and him not care for it.  one other question can I fire this weapon with any of the non-magum shells in the 12 ga. arena today???
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Can you give me any info on this model and value it was my Grandfathers whom I never met.

The marking on the gun are:

         John M. Smyth  Co.
         Faultless Special
         AD  67   (3 or 8 or B hard to read)
         These are on the underside of the
         trigger.

-----Answer-----
Hello Bill,

John M. Smyth was the trade name used by H&D Folsom Arms Co. for the John M. Smyth Hardware Co. of Chicago.

Folsom was a large distributor of firearms produced by the Crescent Firearms Co. of Conn. Folsom later sold to Savage Arms Co.  The Crescent Firearms Co., Davis-Warner Co. and Baker Gun Co. around 1930.

Crescent made quality inexpensive single and double barrel shotguns at its Norwich works around 1892. Large quantities of these "Hardware Guns" were produced for dozens of private brands as well as in Folsom's house brands.

Crescent was bought by the J. Stevens Arms Co. Division of Savage Arms. Corp. around 1930. It was merged with the Davis-Warner Arms Co. In 1932 the operation was moved to the Stevens plant at Springfield. Crescent guns stayed in the Stevens line until about 1941.

Due to the dozens of brand names used by Crescent arms and the various models of same. It is difficult to give you a hard number concerning value. An educated guess based upon the info provided and other similar guns, I would not think that in "good" condition the gun to worth much more that $250.

Keep in mind that if you actually need a positive ID and appraisal, you are going to have to take the gun to a qualified person for inspection and value.

I hope this helps you with most of your question. Sorry I cannot be more firm on value. Thanks for the question Bill.
Sid Lark

Answer
Hi Bill,

A very valid question and concern for sure !

I wish that I could give you a "correct" answer via this site, however it is impossible for me to inspect the gun so I would only be guessing. I would be doing you a dis-service in attempting to advise you of this just for the sake of being able to indicate that "I answered the question".

Some of these barrels were of Damascus construction and if yours is one of those, no...... I would not attempt to shoot any of todays loads through it since they generate a much higher pressure.

If not a Damascus you may be able to shoot smokeless/nitro but perhaps not all. As much as I hate to put you off, I must suggest at this point that you locate a qualified gunsmith near you and have them inspect/advise of the overall condition of the gun and wether or not they recommend shooting it.

This is the only way that I can remain 100% sure that you are getting factual advise based upon the individual gun in question. I want you and/or your Son to be SAFE. That is the most important issue to me.

If it is not a Damascus, I would say that the odds are in your favor of being able to fire it. However, we'll see what someone who can personally inspect it thinks.

Good luck and thanks for the question.
Sid Lark