The "Enders Royal" name is associated with Shapleigh Hardware of St Louis, and Crescent was one of the several manufacturers. "Cannon Breech-Simmons Hardware Co" is found on single shot guns made by J. Stevens Arms Co. But I cannot locate any information that indicates a shotgun was made with both of these trade names.
I believe they were patented in 1897.
Simmons Hardware Company used the "SH Co" logo . Crescent Fire Arms used various names for "house brand" shotguns and this may be one of them. They used other companies to make shotguns for them. Hartford Arms actually made the guns for both Simmons and Shapleigh Hardware. (Shapleigh bought out Simmons Hardware in 1940) So S.H. Co would be a house brand name made by Hartford under a Crescent contract. Hartford Arms & Equipment made guns from 1925 to 1932 and was bought out by High Standard Co in 1932. Crescent was bought out by J. Stevens Arms around 1930, and they continued to make "house brand" guns for several years.
Simmons Hardware was a large chain. In the early 1900s, many companies sold what were known as "Hardware guns" or "store brand guns". One manufacturer, Crescent, made over 2 million shotguns under more than 400 different store names. If you owned Fred's hardware store, if you ordered 12 shotguns, Crescent would make them, and they would be stamped Fred's Hardware. Such was the case with Simmons (they bought a lot more than 12) Unfortunately, there are limited records, since shotguns were not regulated as they are today. 12 g shotguns were most common, 20 g less common.
Serial no. C8172
I have a 12 guage with the same markings "Simmons Hardware Co " and Cannon Breach engraving ser no less than 5000. Let me know if you have any luck.
50-125 USD or so
Red Chieftain shotguns were made by Crescent Arms Arms Co and J Stevens Arms Co for the Supplee-Biddle Hardware Co.
Utica Firearms Company guns were manufactured by Crescent Arms, Norwich, Ct, for the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri c. 1900-1920. If functional, it should be worth about $150. If not useable, but looks good over the fireplace, it is worth about the same as a decorator.
50-100 USD or so
Never did exist. It's a hardware store brand name on guns made by Crescent Fire Arms, Meriden, CT. or Janssen Fils & Co in Belgium.
Most likely, yes. Essex was a trade name used by Crescent-Davis firearms Co on shotguns made for the Belknap Hardware Co of Louisville KY back in the 18 and 1900's. The term "Hardware guns" is derived from the Crescent Co, as they made guns for just about anybody, and would put any name on the gun if you ordered 10 or more.