ever heard of this kind of shotgun?

Question
Hi I have a 12ga shotgun that belonged to my grandfather and cant find any info on it no where.It is called a JOHN M SMYTH long distance field gun .Do you by any chance have any info about this gun?Or any idea where to search at? Thanks so much. Jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff,

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

Folsom was a large distributor of firearms produced by Crescent Firearms Co. Norwich, Connecticut. 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 beginning around 1892. Very 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 Davis-Warner Arm Corp. In 1932 the operation was moved to the Stevens plant at Springfield. Crescent-Davis brand guns remained in Stevens's full line catalog until 1941.

Thanks for the question Jeff.
Sid Lark