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I have a 16 ga break action shotgun with Simmons Hardware Co. on the Butt plate and the bottom of the Pistol grip. The left side of the receiver has “KK” engraved on it, which stands for “Keen Kutter”. Keen Kutter was a brand name of all items made and sold by Simmons Hardware from 1862 to 1939. Winchester had a brief connection with E.C. Simmons from 1920 to 1929. Winchester relocated Simmons from St Louis to New Haven. Winchester wanted to have a line of the quality knives that Simmons had and could manufacture. This is what I have researched so far.
Now, Cresent Firearms manufactured Simmons’ guns during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. I have seen photos of shotguns from this period. The front grip in these photos doesn’t look like my gun nor does the stock, but the receiver does. The stock and front grip looks like an “Iver Johnson” shotgun in the old photos.
I have seen invoices for parts from Winchester to E.C. Simmons Hardware at a gun show several years ago (did not get the dates on them). Now I wonder if this shot gun was made by Winchester during this period.
BTW: My shotgun has matching serial numbers (4) places that is A-0001.
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