Shotgun Identification

[washambala]

My friend has a bold action 20 gauge that he wants my help with. The stock is damaged but Im not worried about that. The only markings on it I can find are "TRU-TEST" stamped on the back left side of the receiver and "P.T.G.A." or maybe "F.T.G.A." stamped on the bottom back edge of the barrel. There is also a mark on the back left of the barrel that looks like a circle with three arms, at 12 oclock, 5 and 7 oclock. Whole mark is maybe 1/8" wide. I do not see a serial number anywhere on it.:banghead: So I would like to know more about it. If its a mossberg rebrand or something else, maybe a ballpark production year, or if I should put it back together and wipe my fingerprints off of it. Thanks

 

[powell&hyde]

Tru Test Winco Arms Co.was one of the many names used on Cresent made shotguns, I believe they were later absorbed by the Stevens Arms Co.

 

[washambala]

Any information on the serial number or lack thereof?

 

[303tom]

I say old bolt action shotgun made by what looks like, SAVAGE.............Look under the barrel.

 

[washambala]

The only mark under the barrel is the "PTGA"

 

[One_Jackal]

It looks like a Marlin Goose gun. If the barrel is over 30 inches Marlin is one of the few US companies that sold a lot of bolt action shotguns. The stock has a Marlin look and the stock was cut from beech. Most likely a Model 55.

 

[Sam1911]

It is very common for firearms produced prior to the middle of last century to not have serial numbers. Many companies DID number their guns, but it was not required until the Gun Control Act of 1968.

You may not legally possess a firearm which has had the serial number defaced or removed, but it is perfectly legal to possess a firearm that never had a serial number.

 

[Salmoneye]

Before reading, and only looking at the first pic, what jumped to mind was 'Stevens' bolt action...

The branding is for a hardware store chain...Many manufacturers did this over the decades...

The lack of serial means it was built before they were required in 1968...

Try looking at a Stevens model 58 or 258 (off the top of my head)...

 

[JohnBT]

I remember Tru-Test hardware stores with guns and bikes and such. I believe Tru Value stores still carry Tru-Test paints and some hardware.

www.tru-test.com/storelocator_detail_us.asp?State=VA

John

 

[washambala]

Sam- Thank you for clearing that up for me. I was under the impression that was part of the 1934 law, not the 1968 one.

It appears to be a Stevens/Savage model 258 based on Numrich schematics. They have three sub models listed: 258A, 258AB and 258B. Anyone know anything about the differences between those or the production years?

 

[powell&hyde]

washambala:

The picture you posted with the barrel stamped "Tru-Test" was made by Cresent Firearms Co. Click the link from Cornell Publishing for the tradenames. http://www.cornellpubs.com/free-files/CRESCENT%20TRADE%20NAMES%20BW%20PORTRAIT.pdf

and another one from Gunbroker. http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=217977&SearchTerms=Crescent

 

[Salmoneye]

'Crescent Firearms' merged with another company in 1929, becoming 'Crescent-Davis'...

By 1931 Crescent-Davis was in receivership, and was acquired by Savage...

Within a couple of years all manufacturing was moved to Chicopee Falls, Mass...

Savage has owned the 'Steven's brand since 1920...

The 'Stevens' 258 series was made from 1937-1965 by Savage and branded Tru-Test...When Savage acquired 'Crescent-Davis', they also acquired all of their old accounts...

Or so the story goes...

;-)

 

[303tom]

'Crescent Firearms' merged with another company in 1929, becoming 'Crescent-Davis'...

By 1931 Crescent-Davis was in receivership, and was acquired by Savage...

Within a couple of years all manufacturing was moved to Chicopee Falls, Mass...

Savage has owned the 'Steven's brand since 1920...

The 'Stevens' 258 series was made from 1937-1965 by Savage and branded Tru-Test...When Savage acquired 'Crescent-Davis', they also acquired all of their old accounts...

Or so the story goes...

;-)

Yeah, what he said..............