American Arms Whitmore

[Will Penny]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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[Will Penny]

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

[John Eurom]

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]

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