As promised ...

Todd, I bought this gun because it was advertised as a 20 bore, and after a little research determined that there are only a VERY few documented Meriden Arms 20's. The gun turned out to be a 16, and research shows that 16 bore Meridens while not as rare as 20's are indeed also very scarce, so I let the seller off the hook and kept the gun. It is quite well made, although VERY heavy. What impresses me, is that this gun has obviously been used a LOT in its lifetime, and cared for sporadically. It is tight as new, and there are no cracks in the wood around the locks. I don't think I have ever seen a Smith that appeared to have this much use, and did not have at least some cracks in the wood.

Wow, Chris, that is not the gun that I was thinking it was. I knew of another graded To in that ended up in Canada. But it was not that nice!

That thing is a smoke show!

Chris,

Thx very much for sharing. Is it signed?

- NDG

According to the maker's legend on the frame - it wasmade in Woodstock, Ontario.




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I think I have pictures of the same gun but whoever sent them blocked out the first two digits of the serial number on the straight grip trigger guard backstrap leaving only 900 showing. It must be a late gun in the 18xxx or 19xxx serial number range, as it doesn't have a rectangular extension of the barrel lug extending through the bottom of the frame, a feature into the 17xxx range --

Attachment 65156

The single trigger on this gun appear to be the same as on Frank Tobin's personal gun, but is not the one shown in Tobin catalogues which has a round screwhead button which slides fore and aft ahead of the trigger as on this No. 55ET Model Grade --

Attachment 65157

Chris D,

It would be interesting to know if the engraver is indicated, or any other hidden maker's marks. I can't confirm this with direct evidence...YET...but I believe that George Giddings was at Tobin.

George was the first son of Charles Giddings, who emigrated to the U.S. from England in 1865, and as of 1870 was living in Meriden, CT. He is probably best known for his work at Remington, where his daughter was a checkerer, and his younger son was listed as a "toolmaker." Charles Giddings' name has been seen on the woodwork of a few guns, including Lefevers. (** BTW, there is at least one gun out there that is stamped Charles Giddings, as maker. But it is strikingly similar to a Lefever hammer gun, and I'm not entirely convinced it isn't really just a Lefever gun that he completed. It's owned by a PGCA member.**)

George was born once the Giddings' had moved to Ilion, in 1878, and by 1905 he is listed as living in Fulton, NY with occupation of "gun maker." A Hunter Arms man?

By 1911 the Canadian Census has him living with his wife in Oxford North, Ontario, which is a little village just outside of Woodstock...where Tobin Arms was. But the census lists no occupation details for him, and I've yet to find a directory which references him.

I do not know how long he remained in Canada. He passed away in 1923, and is buried in Ilion.

That's all I have, to date. But I think circumstantially the odds are fairly good that in his years in Ontario he worked at Tobin...otherwise quite a coincidence.

- NDG

Nick ,im just in for a quick supper and back in the shop till 9-10 tonight ,when I get a moment I promise to give it a good once over to see what I can find for you in regard to signatures ....10 - 15 hours a day has me beat ...I feel like I'm running tongs and chunking chain again:(

Chris D.,

Thanks, that would be great. Hey, if you spent that many hours zipping logs yer lucky to have enough fingers to shoot with!

If yer saw is retired now maybe you should have it engraved. I wonder if Ken Hunt has ever done one...?

- NDG

No not timber ...it was the illustrious world of both the land and offshore drilling rig that I was involved in for a few years ....trying to figure out where I belong in the world ;)