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| Forums10 Topics39,555 Posts562,703 Members14,593 |  | Most Online9,918Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 884 Likes: 1 Sidelock |  
| OP   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 884 Likes: 1 | 
A friend and I were talking about what we feel is the best pre 1900 American gun. We not talking fancy were talking fit and finish.What are your favorites?
 
 
 lefeverarms.com
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Joined:  May 2011 Posts: 1,197 Likes: 55 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  May 2011 Posts: 1,197 Likes: 55 | 
Shotgun or other?  And what does American mean?  Many guns were brought over to the US in the white and finished i.e Claybrough, WM Moore.  Many parts and pieces were made over seas.
 Other for me would be:
 Hawkens
 Colt Navy 1851
 
 Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
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Joined:  Feb 2006 Posts: 1,609 Likes: 14 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Feb 2006 Posts: 1,609 Likes: 14 | 
My vote is for the Parker Bros. shotguns made in Meriden, CT. The only part of the gun that wasn't made in the USA was the rough barrel tubes. |  |  |  
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Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 2,071 Likes: 72 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 2,071 Likes: 72 | 
The CSMC Fox.
 The best US design excuted with the best metallurgy and best quality control
 
 Michael Dittamo
 Topeka, KS
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Joined:  Apr 2012 Posts: 753 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Apr 2012 Posts: 753 | 
The CSMC Fox.
 The best US design excuted with the best metallurgy and best quality control
the pre 1900 model CSMC??      |  |  |  
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Joined:  Jan 2006 Posts: 9,772 Likes: 467 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2006 Posts: 9,772 Likes: 467 | 
"best handmade, reliable shooting gun ever manufactured"    |  |  |  
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 10,747 Likes: 1371 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 10,747 Likes: 1371 | 
The Harrington and Richardson, licensed from Anson and Deeley.
 
 Best,
 Ted
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Joined:  Feb 2006 Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Feb 2006 Posts: 3,854 Likes: 118 | 
Any of the Syracuse L.C.Smith's had both fit and finish.  The early Hunter Arms had both. Here is a circa 1896 Quality 2E  The early LeFevers are in there along with the Remingtons. 
 David
 
 
 
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 10,747 Likes: 1371 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 10,747 Likes: 1371 | 
Don't use such a big screwdriver next time you pry the locks off...
 Best,
 Ted
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Joined:  Mar 2002 Posts: 7,893 Likes: 651 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Mar 2002 Posts: 7,893 Likes: 651 | 
H and R were good but they are rare. I like Remington 1894s a lot. If you get a chance to examine a D or E grade you will see as nice a gun as anyone ever made in America. |  |  |  
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