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<  16ga. Guns  ~  Knickerbocker similar to LC Smith
e49735
PostPosted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:55 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 35

I saw at a local store, a 16 ga. Knickerbocker sidelock, with 26 inch barrels, made by American Gun Co., NY which looks a lot like an LC Smith field.......any knowledge of these guns...lock design, overall quality? I put some dummy rounds in it and pulled the triggers, which were very heavy pulls, perhaps needs a good dissasemble/cleaning. It has regular steel barrels, and the wood looks pretty good. I'm going to take another closer look on Monday. A wee little play at the face of the breech...thinking a local gunsmith/machinist can snug it up.
any experience with these, and comments appreciated,
Terry
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Twice Barrel
PostPosted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:09 pm  Reply with quote
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The quintessential "Hardware Store Gun" sold by Sears and Roebuck through their catalogs. You would be much better off with a Baker or Smith if you are looking for a side lock.
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fred lauer
PostPosted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:10 pm  Reply with quote
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Knickerbockers were what is commonly refered to as "hardware store guns". In my Grand Dads time, the were sold to do their job for 20 years +/- and by then you had gotten your moneys worth and could replace the gun if need be. They were of lesser quality than an L.C. Smith which was reflected in the selling price at the time and in the market now. That said, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, I'm not knocking your gun.There are still many Knickerbockers out there that are quite functional if taken care of. Should the gun need much for repairs or restoration, I'd think that over real hard before proceeding, unless it has some sentimental value. Just one observation.

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putz463
PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 3:18 am  Reply with quote
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Pretty guns, but, look very close at the wood around the side plates. Every one I've looked at has had the wood split or splintered back there. Upon disassembly you can see why; AGC left very little wood back there. I have one in 20ga with Damascus barrels that is/was a great looking gun but had been shot off face or somebody slammed it shut a few too many times and the furniture was in splinters. I purchased it for the barrels to experiment with a knife making project/idea. If anyone here needs the action body off this one for parts just let me know, I'm only interested in the D barrels. Good luck with it if you get it, Mike

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revdocdrew
PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:18 am  Reply with quote
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The Knickerbocker name was used by Folsom/Crescent/American Gun Co. New York c. 1905-1922
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20091267


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patriot usa
PostPosted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:38 pm  Reply with quote
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Wasn't it Forsom or Cresent that made the later Bakers, or am I mistaken?

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Twice Barrel
PostPosted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:48 pm  Reply with quote
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patriot usa wrote:
Wasn't it Forsom or Cresent that made the later Bakers, or am I mistaken?


Folsom Arms Co. 1920-1930 in Norwich, CT., however, the Baker was/is a much different gun than the Knickerbocker (Crescent) design and were of a much higher quality. Much the same as Taurus is a different machine than a Town Car.
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Researcher
PostPosted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:06 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 13 Jun 2009
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Location: WA/AK

H&D Folsom Arms Co. of 314 Broadway, NYC, owned a gun factory in Norwich, Conn. The factory was the old Bacon Arms Co. and was reorganized as Crescent Fire Arms Co. in 1892. By 1893 H&D Folsom Arms Co. owned controlling interest in the factory. In that factory they made guns that they marketted under the name Crescent Fire Arms Co. and American Gun Co. and several hundred different "trade names" that any customer who paid for the stamp and ordered at least twelve guns could dream up. After 1919, when H&D Folsom acquired the firearms portion of Baker Gun & Forging Co. of Batavia, New York, they also built/assembled their Baker Gun Co. guns there.

Here is their Knickerboker from Catalogue No. 18



By catalogue No. 23 this was their offering --


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