Old shot gun - The Firearms Forum

terminator · 12-26-2010, 04:32 PM

I have a very old shot gun I got from my Grand Father. It says Long Tom on it. Any body have any info on this old gun?

Thanks!

22shot · 12-26-2010, 05:40 PM

terminator

The only thing I know is that it's Granpas' old shotgun, and it has "Long Tom" written on it.

I'm aware of only one U.S. shotgun mfg. that would (could) call that model a "Long Tom"....

Let's see if other members can figure out what you have; based on your post!

Maybe they can "google" it?

Anchor Clanker · 12-26-2010, 06:50 PM

First of all, it's a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker (and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. If the name stamped on the gun is LONG TOM then it was made by either the Meridian Fire Arms Company of Meridian,CT or the Stevens Arms & Tool Company of Chicoppee Falls, MA. The guns were made for and sold by Sears Roebuck & Co of Chicago.IL. Now any long barrel shotgun, 32 inches or longer are commonly referred to a a Long Tom but that is not the correct name for them. If the gun was made by Meridian, it was made some time between 1905 and 1915. If it was made by Stevens it was made some time between 1915 and 1935. The guns were inexpensive when new and haven't increased in value much since then. They sell mostly between $50 and $75 depending on condition.

RJay · 12-26-2010, 08:28 PM

Why hello, Anchor Clanker. Long time no post, everyting OK at your end

Jim K · 12-26-2010, 08:45 PM

The name "Long Tom" for any long barrelled gun or cannon goes back centuries; the best known today is probably the 155mm gun used by the US in WWII, but the 280mm "Atomic Cannon" was also sometimes called the Long Tom.

So the makers or sellers of that shotgun didn't invent the name, they just used it. The shotguns given that name were utilitarian guns and are of only modest value today, usually around $100 if in good condtion, which few are. I strongly recommend against firing those old guns with modern ammunition, and some should not be fired with any ammunition, even black powder shells.

Jim

terminator · 12-27-2010, 08:50 AM

Thanks men!!

Jim Hauff · 12-29-2010, 12:04 PM

From my experience - the term "LONG TOM" was applied to shotguns with barrels longer than 30". Usually in the 32" to 38" length.
Did a little research - seems that these "named" shotguns were made by Batavia Arms, in NYS and sold with that stamp by both Sears and M. Wards from the late 1880's up to around 1930. Most had a 36" barrel.

12-26-2010, 04:32 PM	#1
terminator V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 130	Old shot gun I have a very old shot gun I got from my Grand Father. It says Long Tom on it. Any body have any info on this old gun? Thanks! -->

12-26-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
22shot V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: U.S.of A. Posts: 376	Re: Old shot gun terminator The only thing I know is that it's Granpas' old shotgun, and it has "Long Tom" written on it. I'm aware of only one U.S. shotgun mfg. that would (could) call that model a "Long Tom".... Let's see if other members can figure out what you have; based on your post! Maybe they can "google" it?

12-26-2010, 06:50 PM	#3
Anchor Clanker V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vacaville,California Posts: 197	Re: Old shot gun First of all, it's a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker (and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesaler or retailer who chose the name to go on the gun. If the name stamped on the gun is LONG TOM then it was made by either the Meridian Fire Arms Company of Meridian,CT or the Stevens Arms & Tool Company of Chicoppee Falls, MA. The guns were made for and sold by Sears Roebuck & Co of Chicago.IL. Now any long barrel shotgun, 32 inches or longer are commonly referred to a a Long Tom but that is not the correct name for them. If the gun was made by Meridian, it was made some time between 1905 and 1915. If it was made by Stevens it was made some time between 1915 and 1935. The guns were inexpensive when new and haven't increased in value much since then. They sell mostly between $50 and $75 depending on condition.

12-26-2010, 08:28 PM	#4
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,498	Re: Old shot gun Why hello, Anchor Clanker. Long time no post, everyting OK at your end __________________ RonJames

12-26-2010, 08:45 PM	#5
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Old shot gun The name "Long Tom" for any long barrelled gun or cannon goes back centuries; the best known today is probably the 155mm gun used by the US in WWII, but the 280mm "Atomic Cannon" was also sometimes called the Long Tom. So the makers or sellers of that shotgun didn't invent the name, they just used it. The shotguns given that name were utilitarian guns and are of only modest value today, usually around $100 if in good condtion, which few are. I strongly recommend against firing those old guns with modern ammunition, and some should not be fired with any ammunition, even black powder shells. Jim

12-27-2010, 08:50 AM	#6
terminator V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 130	Re: Old shot gun Thanks men!!

12-29-2010, 12:04 PM	#7
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Old shot gun From my experience - the term "LONG TOM" was applied to shotguns with barrels longer than 30". Usually in the 32" to 38" length. Did a little research - seems that these "named" shotguns were made by Batavia Arms, in NYS and sold with that stamp by both Sears and M. Wards from the late 1880's up to around 1930. Most had a 36" barrel. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie