12ga. John M. Smyth

Question
I would like to know any info that you could share with me about shotgun with John M. Smyth Co. Chicago on the barrel and on the underside above the trigger the numbers 4018 or 40L8 and 2-7.

Answer
Hello Shannon. Your shotgun was made by one of the following manufactures: Crescent Firearms Co. circa 1892 ;which sold to H&D Folsom in 1893 ;which in 1926 was absorbed by J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company ;which was then purchased by Savage Arms in 1930. John M. Smyth Co. was a hardware company in Chicago around the turn of the 20th century. Most "hardware and tool companies" around that time included SEARS & ROEBUCK and MONTGOMERY WARDS. They did not make their own guns, but were supplied by one of the several firearms manufactures of the time. The numbers on your gun were used in the same way that little slip of paper you find in the pocket of new clothes today. It is an inspectors mark or number. The 2-7 could refer to February 1907, when the gun was first inspected. There is no actual scientific proof of which company manufactured your Smyth shotgun. However, I would place your shotgun manufactured between 1893 through 1926 and most likely by H&D Folsom Arms Company. There are no collectors in the field of "hardware" guns, so they are valued as shooters only. Extremely good condition could bring in the neighborhood of $150, but most from $50-$75. I hope this answers your question and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage