green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth - The Firearms Forum

green bug · 12-06-2009, 02:37 PM

i have a green bug 4 10 12mm that my ex wants to buy from me but i dont know what its worth...just looking for some information

Alpo · 12-06-2009, 03:29 PM

Bridge Gun Company was a name used by Shapleigh Hardware, of St. Louis, back in the late 1800s/early 1900s, on guns made by Crescent Firearms. What's called a "hardware store gun", because any business, say, "Joe's Hardware", could write the company and tell them, "Make me 50 guns, and stamp them 'Joe's Hardware', and the company would do it. There are hundreds of hardware store brands floating around, all made by, probably no more than five or six companies.

Hardware store guns value run somewhere around 75 to a hundred bucks, max.

Shapleigh had bunches of names for his guns. He'd sell Bay State guns for 5 bucks, maybe, and charge 5.50 for a Bridge Gun Company gun (or vice versa), and they were the same gun, with different names stamped on them.

RJay · 12-06-2009, 03:42 PM

What , pray tell, is a Green Bug 410???

Alpo · 12-06-2009, 05:17 PM

Ron, I was reading that title like, "I have a Trooper 357 Colt Ptd Fire Arms Company..what's it worth?

He has a Bridge Gun Company gun, and the model is Greenbug, in 410. Although, I s'pose I could be mistook.

RJay · 12-06-2009, 07:37 PM

I'll take your word for it

Bridge Gun Co. I know, but not Green Bug.

Alpo · 12-06-2009, 10:29 PM

You know Bridge Gun Company? You're doing better than me. But, like Hammerschlager said once, I have excellent reference books.

rkd · 10-16-2010, 01:28 PM

I also have a greenbug 410 12m/m & would like to know what it is worth.

rkd · 10-16-2010, 01:39 PM

I also have a greenbug 410 12m/m & would like to know what it is worth.On the barrel it has Greenbug/ Bridge Gun Co./ 12m/m choke,Serial # A749306 Have had it for 43 yr's and it was used when I got it.

RJay · 10-16-2010, 02:48 PM

The trade name Greenbug was new to me, but Alpo gave an excellent reply. If the gun is also marked 12MM there is a chance it was made in Belgium. The hardware company owned their trade names and could have them roll marked on the lowest bidder. Google Trade Name shotguns, Crescent Gun Co, Store brand shotguns and you will find a wealth of knowledge.

Remember, just because it's old does not equate in gold, otherwise my old bod would be worth a fortune.

12-06-2009, 02:37 PM	#1
green bug Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1	green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth i have a green bug 4 10 12mm that my ex wants to buy from me but i dont know what its worth...just looking for some information -->

12-06-2009, 03:29 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth Bridge Gun Company was a name used by Shapleigh Hardware, of St. Louis, back in the late 1800s/early 1900s, on guns made by Crescent Firearms. What's called a "hardware store gun", because any business, say, "Joe's Hardware", could write the company and tell them, "Make me 50 guns, and stamp them 'Joe's Hardware', and the company would do it. There are hundreds of hardware store brands floating around, all made by, probably no more than five or six companies. Hardware store guns value run somewhere around 75 to a hundred bucks, max. Shapleigh had bunches of names for his guns. He'd sell Bay State guns for 5 bucks, maybe, and charge 5.50 for a Bridge Gun Company gun (or vice versa), and they were the same gun, with different names stamped on them. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-06-2009, 03:42 PM	#3
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,504	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth What , pray tell, is a Green Bug 410??? __________________ RonJames

12-06-2009, 05:17 PM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth Ron, I was reading that title like, "I have a Trooper 357 Colt Ptd Fire Arms Company..what's it worth? He has a Bridge Gun Company gun, and the model is Greenbug, in 410. Although, I s'pose I could be mistook. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-06-2009, 07:37 PM	#5
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,504	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth I'll take your word for it Bridge Gun Co. I know, but not Green Bug. __________________ RonJames

12-06-2009, 10:29 PM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth You know Bridge Gun Company? You're doing better than me. But, like Hammerschlager said once, I have excellent reference books. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-16-2010, 01:28 PM	#7
rkd Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth I also have a greenbug 410 12m/m & would like to know what it is worth.

10-16-2010, 01:39 PM	#8
rkd Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth I also have a greenbug 410 12m/m & would like to know what it is worth.On the barrel it has Greenbug/ Bridge Gun Co./ 12m/m choke,Serial # A749306 Have had it for 43 yr's and it was used when I got it.

10-16-2010, 02:48 PM	#9
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,504	Re: green bug 4 10 12mm bridge gun company..whats it worth The trade name Greenbug was new to me, but Alpo gave an excellent reply. If the gun is also marked 12MM there is a chance it was made in Belgium. The hardware company owned their trade names and could have them roll marked on the lowest bidder. Google Trade Name shotguns, Crescent Gun Co, Store brand shotguns and you will find a wealth of knowledge. Remember, just because it's old does not equate in gold, otherwise my old bod would be worth a fortune. __________________ RonJames Last edited by RJay; 10-16-2010 at 02:50 PM..