The other Meriden factory

[Brent Francis]

I picked this up on GB recently but have not found any other Meriden Shotguns that look like it. I thought maybe somebody might know something. I have stocks reciever and fore end but sadly no barrels. Any thoughts on finding some that fit maybe from a lower grade gun. Unfortunately it is is an ejector so that probably makes the search more difficult

[Dean Romig]

WOW! that is the highest grade Meriden Fire Arms Co. gun I have ever seen!
Don't ever give up looking for barrels for it.... even if they're not serial numbered to your gun.






.

[wayne goerres]

I would buy another whole gun and scrap it just for the barrels. It will make an assume gun.

[Brent Francis]

I think It would really look good attached to some Meriden chain damascus barrels. It would make the rest of my collection look boring by comparrison. Ive read that parker folks moonlighted for Meridian.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Ironically, I went to a local gun show today that seldom has any sxs's of note. However, there was a Meridan hammer gun there. Not super high quality but not field grade either. First one I have ever seen. It appeared to be a quality piece. Nice looking damascus and engraving.

[Bill Murphy]

I would be looking for another Meriden gun for the barrels.

[Gary Laudermilch]

I think they were asking $575 for the Meridan hammer gun I saw today. I did not look too closely but the bores looked pretty good. I have no interest or stake in this gun. If you want to pursue it contact:

Barber's Firearms
barbersfirearms@yahoo.com
814-367-5725

[Brent Francis]

Gary thanks. I am going to try to find an ejector barrel. Since the forend i have is an ejector.

[Dave Noreen]

That looks like a pretty run-of-the-mill checkering pattern for a receiver and lockplates with that amount of engraving?!?

[Brent Francis]

I agree it may be a re-stock. The forend is a beaver tail but it is also not up to the same standard as the engraving.

[Brent Francis]

Here are a couple more pictures

[Mark Beasland]

Should be barrel type and model on the action flats.
Barrel markings are like K30 for Krupp 30in, T32 for twist 32in, C28 for Chain Damascus 28in

Model would be 1 or 2 digit number.

I'll find some photos.

[Mark Beasland]

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/shotguns-american-double/meridian-firearms-model-55-12ga-high-grade-model-55.cfm?gun_id=100827026
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/shotguns-doubles/meriden-model-18-12ga-32in-high-condition.cfm?gun_id=100803218

Tried to just post the link for the action flat photos but got the whole listing so you'll have to scroll down thru the photos to find it.

Sorry for what looks like self promotion it was not my intent.

[Brent Francis]

Thanks, i saw those web sites. The water table on tnis one only has a serial number. I found a reference that the very highest grades were not marked with model number and barrel length I think this may be a trap grade. I have ordered a 1910 catalog to see if i can figure it out

[Drew Hause]

The line of much higher grade guns manufactured by Sears/Meriden Fire Arms Co. were called "THE MERIDEN GUN" rather than Meriden Hammerless. The 1910 catalog shows the following grades - A with Whitworth, Krupp, or 6-blade damascus for $250 with AE, B with Krupp or 6-blade for $185 with AE, C with Krupp or 4-blade for $110 with AE, D "Trap Gun" with Krupp or 3-blade for $90 with AE, E "Quail Gun" with Krupp and ONLY 16G for $60 (no AE offered), F with Krupp or 3-blade for $60 with AE, G with Krupp for $40. Production of these guns was apparently quite limited. It is not known if the intended market for these more expensive models may have been Fred Biffar's company or other national dealers.

In 1910, $250 would have bought a Smith Monogram or Parker AHE; $185 a Smith 5E or BHE.