Looking for information on a gun maker named J. J. Weston. Can anyone help?

Question

The shot gun was made in the late 1800's, has a damascus barrel. It's an 18 gauge, has the name J. J. Weston on the inside of the forestock. Any information is appreciated.

Answer 1

Shotguns with the name J.J. Weston were made by one of two makers- one American and one Belgian, and they were not made until 1890 or later. The American maker was the Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich, CT (1891 to 1931) and the Belgian maker was Henri Pieper of Leige Belgium. The Belgian made guns were imported between 1890 and 1914 when World War one cut off exports from Belgium. The guns were sold by H & D Folsome, a wholesaler who imported guns and owned Crescent Fire Arms as well. The way to tell the difference is to look at the bottom of the barrels under the forearm (handguard). The Belgian made gun will have proof marks consisting of the letters "ELG" stamped in an oval. There will be no proof marks on the American made gun.

Also, the gun was designed for the ammunition in use at the time (black powder). It was NOT designed for smokeless powder of any kind.  In addition, if it was made in Belgium, it will have damascus barrels. It was definitely not designed magnum shells or steel shot. Don't fire it with any kind of ammunition.