Meriden Firearms Co. 16 Ga.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

I have a 16 ga. that has 30 inch krupp steel barrels and on the water table it has S30 which I take is the barrels. It also has the no. 19 which I'm not sure what It stands for and on the barrel lugs F.R. anyone on this forum have a answer for either one of those questions. The ser. no. is 78411. I have seen a few posts where they have compared these guns to Crescent firearms.This gun has alot more quality than a Crescent. I know they were sold by Sears. Thanks Thomas

[Drew Hause]

Some infro here Thomas http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17474742
and you can contact Pete here with the SN and he can let you know the date of manufacture http://damascus-barrels.com/Aubrey.html

[Ken Descovich]

There is a nice website that fills in some of the clues you are looking for here: http://www.meridenfirearms.com/history.html

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Drew: I never expected the responce you gave me.That is alot of info.I will go over it the best I can and try to retain as much of it as possible for this uneducated mind of mine. I'm curious about the F.R. on the barrel lug any idea on that. Thanks Thomas

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Ken: I also want to thank you for that info also. Thanks Thomas

[Ken Descovich]

Here is one that I own, they are built very simular to an L.C. Smith.

Ken

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Ken: What grade is your Meriden.The gun looks to have a fair amount of engraving.Any idea who did it. Thanks Thomas

[Drew Hause]

Thomas: I've never seen the 'FR' on an Aubrey or Meriden and suspect they are a former owner's initials.

A Model 58

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/17474742/303270966.jpg

'Parker like' flying turnips

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1373/6511424/17474742/389914247.jpg

[Ken Descovich]

Thomas,
I do not know what grade this would be called and I have seen some with more engraving coverage ans some with less. The engraving is very nice even though there birds do look like flying turnips:rotf:, it is possible that one of the Gough brothers did the work William or John.

Ken

[Brad Bachelder]

Good looking outside, quite plain on the inside. Still a pretty gun.

Brad

[E Robert Fabian]

Great job Brad... love that chain Damascus.

[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

Brad: Is this your personal gun or one that you restored for someone else? What grade of gun is it. Great job. Thanks Thomas

[Brad Bachelder]

Thomas,
Unfortunately it is not mine. It is a grade 58. The other 58's we have done had much plainer wood, black walnut. We are currently working on a pair of A.J. Aubrey D 32's. The engraving is much more profuse including dogs on the sideplates.
In my opinion the Meriden mechanicly falls between a Cresent and an L.C.. Two unique features are a replaceable top latch that is independent from the lever and a pop-up center bead. I have noticed different single numbers stamped on the latches. It is my belief that the latches were progressively larger and replaceable to tighten up the lock up.

Brad