American Arms Whitmore

Will Penny · 01-06-2022, 11:16 AM

I have a 10 gauge that has a frame and forend iron that is exactly 10 digits
apart from the barrels and forend wood low 1000 numbers. I cannot fathom that somebody made 1 out of two as scarce as they appear to be. Is this a parts gun that was finished at the close of production? I was interested on the peoples opinion with more knowledge than mine. This is a grade with a quail on each side.
Thanks in advance for your knowledge.
Will

Researcher · 01-06-2022, 11:37 AM

That is certainly what it sounds like. I have never recorded an American Arms Co. Whitmore with a four-digit serial number. Mine is two-digits and the others I've recorded are three digits. Post some pictures.

1890 ad.jpg

Will Penny · 01-07-2022, 11:23 AM

I have to apologize, after getting the parts in bright light I can see all numbers are 1026. The frame is hardest to read at most angles, it looks like 1036. I hope the pictures are of good enough quality. Any info is appreciated, I have the booklet on this company. I know there is info that comes to light from time to time in the gun world.
Thanks, Will

Researcher · 01-07-2022, 01:29 PM

Nice. That is a bit nicer than the others I've seen. Unusual that the engraver put the quail on the left side between the pins, but the snipe/woodcock on the right side above and in front of the front pin.

My gun serial number 63 only has two patent dates Aug 7, 1883 (No. 282,429), & July 17, 1888 (No. 386,174), and three screws in the trigger plate.

63 05 12-ga American Arms Co. Whitmore left.jpg

63 08 Patent Dates.jpg

By serial number 421, there is a third patent date July 29, 1890 (No. 433,262), and a fourth screw in the trigger plate.

421 01 right.jpg

421 02 Bottom.jpg

Serial number 643 is perfectly plain with no engraving and Twist barrels.

643 03.jpg

My gun has a plain checkered butt plate. By 421 they were using the Bluffton, Ala. butt plates, even though on the ribs they are still marked BOSTON.

421 04 butt plate.jpg

643 09.jpg

Daryl Hallquist · 01-08-2022, 10:23 AM

Interesting pictures. That distinctive rib appears on the rather high grade Crescent Triumph. I have wondered if there was any connection between the American Arms Whitmore and the Triumph.

Researcher · 01-08-2022, 10:48 AM

The rib on a Triumph Hammerless --

280 01.jpg

The patent date on the two Triumph Hammerless guns I have pictures of is June 16, 1885. There are two patents with that date in Larry Schuknecht's book -- P
.A. Altmaier No. 320,038 for a Safety and F. Beesley No. 320,040 for a Hammerless Cocking Mech.

Daryl Hallquist · 01-08-2022, 11:14 AM

The Whitmore Patent boxlock is not commonly seen. Here's a Graded one, maybe a Grade 2 or 3.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Will Penny · 01-08-2022, 07:03 PM

Your grade 2 has the same damascus pattern as mine but the quail on mine is on the left side.

John Eurom · 02-26-2022, 12:51 AM

I just purchased a Whitmore at auction and will have to wait until it arrives but the auction photos are decent. Grade 1 serial #278; 12 ga. 30" twist pattern barrels. Bottom of frame marked Whitmore Pat w/last date July 20th 1890. This gun has cock indicators in the frame and Bluffton buttplate.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zkG4EU6Ybc2ZGj6m7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/K5bQ9dUN4uUeCZry9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/G1i3gJuoWjh8eyUD9

John

George "Scott" Davis · 02-26-2022, 09:28 AM

Cornell has a pamphlet listing all the firearms brands/names which Cresent Arms Manufactured. It's very interesting.

Cornell Publications cornellpubs.com abby@cornellpubs.com
Publishers of over 5000 old gun catalogs and firearms books
PO Box 214
Brighton, MI 48114
810-225-3075