Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. shotgun?

[artech]

A guy at work recently asked me about a Wilkes-Barre shotgun. I had never heard of the maker. He brought it in and it is in very good condition, maybe 50% well executed engraving, bores are in excellent condition, damascus barrels are not rusted or pitted, wood is VG-excellent. Seems like a really nice old shotgun. I found that the company was only in business for three or four years back in the early 1890's.

There are no proof marks or other markings on the gun besides the three digit serial number and the maker's mark. Because of the age of the gun I am assuming that it is built for black powder. It seems very well made. Can anyone give me a rough idea of a value for this gun? The fellow wants to get it insured.

Thanks in advance!
artech

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Neat....

I live 15 miles from Wilkes-Barre. I have no info for you, but look forward to watching the replies.

 

[JohnBT]

This is all I've found so far. No price range yet. From oldguns.net...

"# 563 - Wilkes-Barre Shotgun
5/12/97
Dave Brimfield MA USA

Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. Wilkes-Barre PA SA Dble BBl Shotgun - SS 12 Guage 26" Damascas Bbls/Rec In The White (no Case Color 7xx thruout

Patented Jan 5 1886 - Receiver engraved about 25% - nonselective extractors double triggers - Boxlock (hammerless)- Stock & forearm checkered - Lots of detail work that places it above the average and equal to some early graded Ithakas I have owned.

Flayderman's has a one line acknowledgment of this company and I would like to know more. Was this one of the many small Gun Mfg's that just faded away or not. This is a quality piece and I would like to find out more about it and the Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. Thanks

Answer:

Dave- There sure is a resemblance to Ithacas. Frank Sellers' "American Gunsmiths" tells us the Wilkes-Barre Gun Co. operated from 1892-1895. Edward Parry patented several design features and started the Parry Firearms Co in Ithaca, NY in 1892. Charles and Ernest Roth bought him out and moved the company to Wilkes-Barre around 1893. They made single and double barrel shotguns until they went bankrupt. Ithaca Gun Co. bought the assets October 1, 1895. Successful gun companies need good designs, good manufacturing facilities, and good marketing, and enough money to get all the above going. Sounds like they lacked something in Wilkes-Barre. It is fascinating to see how inter-related US arms companies were and how they really drove the rise of US industry by development of machine tools, precision measurement, etc. The same names keep popping up in and out of arms companies throughout the 19th century. Hope this helps... John Spangler"

 

[JohnBT]

www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=27029974 Sold for $635

www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=27029841 Sold for $712