Chicago Arms Shotgun?

Ran across a 12 gauge pump action shotgun made by a company called Chicago Arms Co and was wondering if anyone knew anything about them. Such as what are they worth ect.

It was 12 gauge 18 inch barrel and had what looked like an extended magazine tube.

The whole gun looked like it was made out of steel, and it was very heavy but balanced nicely. Also it had an external hammer setup that the pump opperated instead of an internal system.

Google has failed me greatly on this so I turn to better sources.

For what it is worth the shotgun looks very old, but still very functional.

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Chicago Arms Co was a trade name used by Fred Biffer and Sears Roebuck & Co of Chicago IL

A boxlock hammerless was mfg'd by Andrew Pruber Mfg, 1903-1905 and sidelock hammer guns were imported from Belgium 1885-1914

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Source: chicago arms 12ga HEEELLLPPP!!! - THR

Hello all!
I realize this is a rather old post, but I also have one of these mystery guns. Chicago Arms Co. 12 GA. Model A. serial # A5481 those are all the markings on the gun, but it is a 12 ga. pump with external hammer.
I was given mine by my grandfather, it had been in a closet in his house for at least 50 years at that time. He couldn't even remember exactly where it had come from, but thought it had been left to him by another relative. I took it home, cleaned & oiled it, & shot it a couple days later. It shot great! Functions smoothly, aims straight! I shot bird shot mostly & a few slugs I had laying around.
But was never able to find any info about it. One day I let a friend of mine take it over to show a friend of his who claimed to be an expert on old shotguns. He returned without my gun & told me his friend said that it is not safe to shoot with modern ammo, & probably not safe period. But, he would be willing to trade me a brand new 12 ga. pump for it. I had shot it quite a bit by this time with no trouble, & was not about to trade off the shotgun my grandpa gave me! & his eagerness to trade me a new gun for it seemed a little odd. Needless to say I kept my old shotgun!
So, how many people out there have these Chicago Arms shotguns? It seems to be a rare piece, & I understand that rare doesn't always translate to valuable. But I'm the type of guy that likes odd makes, I collect AMC Ambassadors. So, what more can you people tell me about this gun? I will try to get some pictures taken & loaded soon!
Thanks! ...Steve...

I have no info for you, but would enjoy seeing some pics of it. I too like oddball brands/manufacturers. :smile:

Probably banned in the very city it was build in.

All the pictures I took turned out blurry, I'll try again!

Auction Arms Forum - Chicago arms, 12 Ga, Model A, Mod (choke?) pump exposed hammer

Very OLD Single shot shotgun question. - Family, Friends, Firearms

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Originally Posted by mr.amb

Hello all!
I realize this is a rather old post, but I also have one of these mystery guns. Chicago Arms Co. 12 GA. Model A. serial # A5481 those are all the markings on the gun, but it is a 12 ga. pump with external hammer.
I was given mine by my grandfather, it had been in a closet in his house for at least 50 years at that time. He couldn't even remember exactly where it had come from, but thought it had been left to him by another relative. I took it home, cleaned & oiled it, & shot it a couple days later. It shot great! Functions smoothly, aims straight! I shot bird shot mostly & a few slugs I had laying around.
But was never able to find any info about it. One day I let a friend of mine take it over to show a friend of his who claimed to be an expert on old shotguns. He returned without my gun & told me his friend said that it is not safe to shoot with modern ammo, & probably not safe period. But, he would be willing to trade me a brand new 12 ga. pump for it. I had shot it quite a bit by this time with no trouble, & was not about to trade off the shotgun my grandpa gave me! & his eagerness to trade me a new gun for it seemed a little odd. Needless to say I kept my old shotgun!
So, how many people out there have these Chicago Arms shotguns? It seems to be a rare piece, & I understand that rare doesn't always translate to valuable. But I'm the type of guy that likes odd makes, I collect AMC Ambassadors. So, what more can you people tell me about this gun? I will try to get some pictures taken & loaded soon!
Thanks! ...Steve...

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If it has a "damascus" barrel it is not safe to shoot with shells loaded with modern smokeless powder.
You can safely shoot it, if you reload or buy shotshells loaded with black powder.
Damascus steel barrels will not withstand the pressures from modern smokeless powders.