info on syth shot gun

Question
i have a Smyth shot gun with Pat'd Dec 11 1900 stamped on the barrel and the numbers by the trigger guard of 2 1 with a U above the 1 then a 0 to the right and down of the number 1. i have had this gun for about 25 yrs. the gun is in rough condition, i'm not going to sell it so i just some info.  thank you

Answer
Hello Tim. Your shotgun was originally manufactured by Crescent Firearms Co. of Norwich, Conn. These guns are considered  " hardware company guns " because they were sold to other companies, who then sent them out to hardware companies. This gun went from the manufacturer (CRESCENT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING CO. NORWICH, CONN.) to the distributor (H%26D FOLSOM ARMS CO. OF CHICAGO), who then filled the order for the hardware company by stamping the hardware name on the gun (JOHN M. SMYTH HARDWARE CO. OF CHICAGO). The Pat'd date of Dec 11 1900, may have been stamped by Crescent, then the rest stamped on down the line. Crescent Firearms Co. began business in 1892 and was absorbed by Savage Firearms in the 1930's. The letter and numbers you describe were part numbers or inspection numbers. I really love these old single and double shotguns. They have an average value from $50 to $100. The ones that are to ruff for my display, I turn them into 'shadow boxes' or 'floor lamps'. I hope this answered your question and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage