Janney-Semple Hill and Co

[jgalljr]

Have found a single barrel shotgun that say Janney-Semple Hill & Co on the side of it looking for information on who produced this gun and when?

[bullseye]

Janney, Semple, Hill and Company was founded in 1866 by Thomas B. Janney, his brother Edwin, and his brother-in-law, Samuel T. Moles. The first store, located on Washington Avenue between Nicollet and Minnetonka streets, was named Janney and Moles. In April 1875, a co-partnership was formed consisting of Thomas B. Janney, Samuel T. Moles, Frederick W. Brooks, and George H. Eastman. The company name was then changed to Janney, Moles, Brooks and Company.

In 1887 Samuel T. Moles withdrew from the Company, and the name was changed to Janney, Brooks, and Eastman.

In 1883 George H. Eastman's interests were purchased by Frederick Brooks and Thomas Janney. In Hovember of 1883, Brooks died and his interests were sold to Frank B. Semple. The firm name then became Janney, Semple and Company.

On January 22, 1891 the firm was incorporated. Thomas B. Janney was named president and treasurer, Frank B. Semple, vice president, and Horace M. Hill, secretary, the latter given the office because of long service to the company.

After 1886, the company expanded rapidly, due in part to the expansion of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads into the western territories. The company moved its headquarters in Minneapolis many times as increased business made larger quarters necessary.


So without any additional info, it would appear your shotgun was made after 1883.

[Purebred Redneck]

Bullseye has given you a good start.

Welcome to the forum!

[Jack]

Back then, stores could order shotguns from several makers and have the stores name put on the gun.
So, the name on your gun tells you who ordered it and sold it, but not who made it.
Could be Harrington and Richardson, Iver Johnson, or others.