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#392268 01/30/15 09:35 PM
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Sidelock
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It has been quite a while since I have posted. I frankly have taken a break from doubles to concentrate on Colts and Winchesters. I came across these and now I am back in the fold.

I know there are a few fine Meridens out there but this is the nicest one I have owned. I had a diamond before, but not in near this condition. When they wanted to, Sears could make a fine gun.. The LC Smith speaks for itself. I thought it would be nice to see them side to side, so to speak..




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If that is a Meriden on the bottom that is a nicely made shotgun. I don't know about them but with the chain Damascus barrels I don't believe that would be their highest grade. The Monogram L.C. Smith does speak for itself.
Very nice.


David


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That is a very nice Meriden! Glad you're back into doubles! See you in Louisville?

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I will be there. Got my table reserved and everything.... I look forward to seeing you there.
Also, yes Meriden made higher grades, but I have copies of Sears catalogs and advertising that claims that the diamond is the highest grade they publicly offered.


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Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Any better close-ups of the engraving on the Meriden?
Will these guns be on your table?

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They will be there. Along with some other neat stuff! The engraving on this gun is very sharp. I cannot express too strongly the condition of this gun. There is some fading of the case color in spots , but the appearance is basically that of a 100 year old new old stock gun. It even has a horn butt-plate with the requisite worm holes. I mean, this is one hell of a Meriden. Most of these guns were used up.



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Thanks Wallis,
Perhaps I'll get to see them.
The Meriden looks like a survivor.

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The 1915-1916 Sears catalog illustrates the Diamond Grade with Damascus.
"Two Meriden Hammerless Guns in which an especially high degree of perfection in all details of strength, balance and beauty of design has been attained, guns which can be classed among the finest product of world renowned American skill in gun manufacture."
In 1916 the manufacturing facility was sold to New England Westinghouse, possibly because Westinghouse had just received a contract to produce Mosen Nagant rifles and bayonets for Russia. Some guns were produced in another factory on Center Street in Meriden until 1918 when Sears announced that the Meriden Fire Arms Company would discontinue the manufacture of sporting guns



Confusion exists regarding the A.J. Aubrey/ Meriden Fire Arms doubles and the other line of much higher grade guns called "THE MERIDEN GUN."
The 1910 Meriden Fire Arms Co. catalog shows the following grades - A with Whitworth, Krupp, or 6-blade damascus for $250 with AE, B with Krupp or 6-blade for $185 with AE, C with Krupp or 4-blade for $110 with AE, D "Trap Gun" with Krupp or 3-blade for $90 with AE, E "Quail Gun" with Krupp and ONLY 16G for $60 (no AE offered), F with Krupp or 3-blade for $60 with AE, G with Krupp for $40.
Production of these guns was quite limited, and I don't know the dates of production. It is not known if the intended market for these more expensive models may have been Fred Biffar's company or other national dealers.

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Thanks Drew! I was actually referring to that advertisement and a Sears Catalog from 1914 or 1912.

I do find Meriden's fascinating. The problem is , I don't usually find them in very good shape.


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I recently picked up a Meriden that looks a lot like yours. The number on the water table is 58 supposedly the grade. How did you determine that yours is a diamond grade. Mine has the identical engraving,horn cap and buttplate, stunning wood (except the fore end as with yours), and 28 inch chain damascus barrels as well. Could mine be a diamond as well?

Last edited by dubbletrubble; 03/30/15 10:29 AM.
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