John Krider--gunsmith, hunter, fishing tacklemaker- had a gunsmithing partnership in Philadelphia. Bamboo rods a specialty. Am not personally familiar with his work. You might search Flayderman's Guide to Antique American firearms. His store was called Sportsmen's Depot.
We do not know the name of the first gunmaker, not the exact date. The first guns were made 900-1000 years ago in China.
Don't think anyone does any more. Tomas Agote was a Spanish gunmaker back before WW2. From my search of the web, it looks like only two people in the US ever had one of his guns.
The gun was manufactured in 1971. I would suggest looking in the blue book of guns for the actual value.
Are you sure that does not say Meriden- instead of Meridian? Meriden was a gunmaker in that time frame- they were owned by Sears, and made guns for them. If that is the name, value would depend on condition, but somewhere in the $150-$200 range. If you serach for Meriden Firearms, you can see the website with the company history.
BB guns and airsoft guns are legal, but it may be illegal to transport them, especially to handle them if they are looking like 'real' guns.
The Library
Janssen Sons & Co. was a Belgian (Liege) gunmaker from the early 1890s through approximately approximately 1931. The Damascus shotguns were imported early on, but importation stopped due to WW-I in 1914. Because of the low grade steels in the guns, their value is very low - $100-300, depending on condition. Firing them is contraindicated, unless the shells are the original short (2 1/2- 2 5/8 inch) shells with black powder loads, and the barrels have been inspected by a gunsmith. Basically, they're mantlepiece display weapons.
depends on the type of rifle / pistol
You might try the Arms Collector website, they have several experts who can help determine the value of antique guns and related items. I have posted there web address in the related links. Hope that helps
About $75, depending on condition. These have always been low value guns.
Guns and booze.
There is no one place that has what you want.