12 gauge Essex single barrel

Question
Mr Lark my mother inherited this gun from her grandfather. It is a 12 gauge single barrel with essex and gun works on the side with a bigger SX over the essex. It says more on the side but I am unable to make it out clearly. I think it says pat 1900 and 1901. The serial number on the barrel and under the trigger guard is 22718. It will be greatly appreciated if you could give us any information you can find on this gun(year produced, value,how rare,why the sight on end of barrel is so much smaller than our other guns)

Answer
Jason,

The Essex Gun Works Co. was a trade name used by the Crescent Davis Arms Co. on shotguns made for Belknap Hardware Co. of Louisville, Kentucky. The Crescent Co. produced large quanities of these "Hardware Guns" under many different names. Crescent was eventually purchased by J. Stevens Arms - Division of Savage which was merged with Davis Warner Arms Corp. In early 1930's the company was moved to the Stevens plant at Springfield, Mass.and were in the Stevens catalog until 1941.

I am not able to determine the exact year of manufacture due to the wide distribution over as many years. If the firearm is in "fair" condition it may have a value of approximately $200.

I would suggest that if you would like additional information that you deliver said firearm to a qualified gunsmith for personal inspection and appraisial.

Thank you for your question,
Sid Lark