Cooey H.W. 840

The Cooey model 84 which was renamed the model 840 in 1967 after Winchester Arms purchased the factory was the first shotgun designed and manufactured by the H. W. Cooey Machine & Arms Company in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. The Cooey model 84/840 that were manufactured before 1961 are stamped "H. W. Cooey Machine & Arms Company" on the right side of the action and the guns made after the purchase from Winchester of Cooey are stamped "Winchester-Western (Canada) Limited." on the right side of the receiver. Written records of serial numbers are not generally available. Some have suggested that Cooey did not use serial numbers, but many pre-1961 model 84s are stamped with serial numbers on the receiver, barrel (under the fore stock) and under the butt plate/shoulder stock. Dating the serial numbers remains a challenge for Cooey gun collectors. The model 84/840 were chambered in most common shotgun shells including 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore. A new shooter/owner of a Cooey model 84/840 should get the chamber measured for the proper size of shot shell by a professional gunsmith since most of the older 84 series guns were chambered for 2 3/4" shot shells (except .410 bores), while the 840 series was chambered for the larger and more powerful 3" shot shells.