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Union Arms Co. Model 26 30" Full Takedown 12 GA Pump Shotgun, 1911-1917
Sold for $705.00



Union Firearms Model 50
Sold for $155.00




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I think the model "26" is in fact the same as model "27" which is a model 50 according to the 1911 ad. Only three hundred numbers apart. I think the 26 and 27 are options like different barrels one being longer and full choked and the second being shorter and more open chokes. Mechanically these two guns are identical on the outside. Operating these guns is a pain. They use a striker, which is very hard to cock, which makes shooting them fast nearly impossible. My best score so far at skeet is 23 and to do that I had to break both birds on station 6 doubles, with one shell. I never got a second shot off before the second bird was past the fence. You just can not pump these guns fast enough, to shoot doubles, at Skeet. I see why this design failed.

Somebody needs to write the definitive article about Union Arms, Union Fire Arms, Toledo Fire Arms Company and the buy out by Ithaca. For that matter they should go back to Colton, which preceded them. So much is not clear and names seem to get used for multiple different makers and models are hard to pin down. I am not going to retire on my two 20's and one 12 but anybody who want to pop $700.00 for any of mine will get my attention. The 20's are clearly model 60 and it is stamped on the gun. There were 24, 25, and 25A but no 26 or 27 models that I know of. And 26 or 27 is not a date code as 27 is a lower serial number than 26. To add even more interest they could go into the "Sons of Uncle Dan" connections after his last venture folded. They used a Lefever single trigger patent on their doubles and I think two sons worked there for a time.

Colton/Union was covered in Joseph T. Vorisek’s "Shotgun Research Newsletter" volume three, issue one.

The last of the Union Fire Arms doubles was as close to a Lefever as any other maker. Charles and Edward were both with Union F.A Co. In 1904. I can email pics if someone volunteers to post them.

Have either of you ever seen a high-grade union firearms double?

They have images of them in their catalogs, but I have never seen one.

Since you two seem to have more public interest in them than any one I’ve ever encountered, I’m just curious if you might know of some.

I love the made in Toledo thing.