Excel shotgun

.38domination · 06-29-2012, 01:26 PM

My grandpa just brought over his old Excel single-shot shotgun. We think its a 12 or 16 gauge since we can't find it on the barrel. The serial number on it is 19069D. Any info will help.

*Picture is a 12 gauge model from the internet*

Airdale · 06-29-2012, 04:08 PM

I found this tid bit,

Excel shotguns are/were "Trade Brand Name" shotguns made for and sold by Montgomery Wards. They were made by three makers, Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich,CT, Iver Johnson's Arms * Cycle Works of Fitchberg,MA and Crescent -Davis Arms Corporation also of Norwich,CT. Without a photograph it is difficult to tell who made the gun but the number you give sounds like an Iver Johnson's. Crescent and Crescent-Davis did not use letter prefixs or sufixes to the serial number. There is no published serial number-year made tables for Iver Johnson shotguns.

If that info is correct your gun was made by Iver Johnson. hope that helps a little.

Anchor Clanker · 06-29-2012, 04:09 PM

The picture is of a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun made by the Crescent Fire Arms Company. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker (and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesale sporting goods dealer, a retail chain store or an independent seller who chose the name to go on the gun. Guns with the name EXCEL were made by either the Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich,CT (1892 to 1930), the iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchberg. MA (1871 to 1993) or the Crescent-Davis Arms Corporation also of Norwich (1930 to 1938) for and were sold by the Montgomery-Ward Company of Chicago, IL either in one of their stores or by mail order catalog. If the gun was made by Crescent the serial number will be found stamped on the lower tang just behind the trigger guard. According to the serial number you give (196069) the gun was made in 1905. Guns of this time were designed to use 2 1/2 inch shot shells loaded with either black powder or early low pressure smokeless powder and lead shot. They were not designed for longer, 2 9/16 or 2 3/4 inch shells and certainly not 3 inch or magnum shells loaded with high pressure smokeless powder and steel shot. My recommendation is that you do not attempt to shoot the gun but if you want to, take it for a check out to a good competent gunsmith first and follow his advice, then use appropriate ammunition. Value? These guns were inexpensive even when new, selling for between $5.00 to $15.00. The value of one of these old guns will depend on its condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. A prime condition example (rare) that appears to have come out of the factory yesterday afternoon might bring between $150 and $175 while a rusty metal, rotten or broken wood and missing parts piece of junk fit only for parts salvage or as a fire place poker might bring as little as $25. Of course sentimental value to you is more than that

BETH · 06-29-2012, 04:17 PM

post some pictures please

Alpo · 06-29-2012, 04:29 PM

If you don't know the gauge, measure the diameter of the muzzle.

16 gauge is about 5/8", while 12 gauge is about 3/4".

06-29-2012, 01:26 PM	#1
.38domination Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Okeana, Ohio Posts: 17	Excel shotgun My grandpa just brought over his old Excel single-shot shotgun. We think its a 12 or 16 gauge since we can't find it on the barrel. The serial number on it is 19069D. Any info will help. Picture is a 12 gauge model from the internet Attached Images __________________ If guns cause crime then mine must be defective. -->

06-29-2012, 04:08 PM	#2
Airdale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: N.W. Arkansas Contributor Posts: 750	Re: Excel shotgun I found this tid bit, Excel shotguns are/were "Trade Brand Name" shotguns made for and sold by Montgomery Wards. They were made by three makers, Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich,CT, Iver Johnson's Arms * Cycle Works of Fitchberg,MA and Crescent -Davis Arms Corporation also of Norwich,CT. Without a photograph it is difficult to tell who made the gun but the number you give sounds like an Iver Johnson's. Crescent and Crescent-Davis did not use letter prefixs or sufixes to the serial number. There is no published serial number-year made tables for Iver Johnson shotguns. If that info is correct your gun was made by Iver Johnson. hope that helps a little.

06-29-2012, 04:09 PM	#3
Anchor Clanker V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vacaville,California Posts: 196	Re: Excel shotgun The picture is of a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun made by the Crescent Fire Arms Company. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker (and before 1940) for and was sold by a wholesale sporting goods dealer, a retail chain store or an independent seller who chose the name to go on the gun. Guns with the name EXCEL were made by either the Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich,CT (1892 to 1930), the iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchberg. MA (1871 to 1993) or the Crescent-Davis Arms Corporation also of Norwich (1930 to 1938) for and were sold by the Montgomery-Ward Company of Chicago, IL either in one of their stores or by mail order catalog. If the gun was made by Crescent the serial number will be found stamped on the lower tang just behind the trigger guard. According to the serial number you give (196069) the gun was made in 1905. Guns of this time were designed to use 2 1/2 inch shot shells loaded with either black powder or early low pressure smokeless powder and lead shot. They were not designed for longer, 2 9/16 or 2 3/4 inch shells and certainly not 3 inch or magnum shells loaded with high pressure smokeless powder and steel shot. My recommendation is that you do not attempt to shoot the gun but if you want to, take it for a check out to a good competent gunsmith first and follow his advice, then use appropriate ammunition. Value? These guns were inexpensive even when new, selling for between $5.00 to $15.00. The value of one of these old guns will depend on its condition, the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. A prime condition example (rare) that appears to have come out of the factory yesterday afternoon might bring between $150 and $175 while a rusty metal, rotten or broken wood and missing parts piece of junk fit only for parts salvage or as a fire place poker might bring as little as $25. Of course sentimental value to you is more than that

06-29-2012, 04:17 PM	#4
BETH Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: naugatuck,Ct. Contributor Posts: 6,666	Re: Excel shotgun post some pictures please

06-29-2012, 04:29 PM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,647	Re: Excel shotgun If you don't know the gauge, measure the diameter of the muzzle. 16 gauge is about 5/8", while 12 gauge is about 3/4". __________________ 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.