What is the age of a double barrel side by side external hammers 12 gauge shotgun with Empire on it and on the left barrel written choke and on the rib by the chamber is written gov't warranted test?

Answer 1

Empire firearms were made by the H & D Folsom/Crescent Arms Co. in the very late 1800's thru the early 1900's. This organization manufactured low cost firearms under a number of different names. You could actually buy the same firearm at a number of different stores with three different names on it. Attempting to determine the age of this firearm is probably a lost cause as all the assets of this group were aquired, I believe, by the Stevens Arms Co. during the early 1930's. All records have since either been lost or destroyed.

I will assume that you would not consider shooting this firearm without first haveing it checked by a qualified gunsmith. I believe most of guns stamped Empire firearms were probably designed in the late black powder or very early smokeless powder era and as such their safety with modern ammo. is suspect.

By trhe way, their were also Empire Arms Co. marked firearms (again made by Cresent Arms Co.) made for Sears. I have no idea if they were the same guns or not.