How do you find information on Diamond Arms Shapleigh King Nitro shotguns?

Answer

Diamond Arms Company and Nitro King are both trade names used by the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Some of the guns were imported from various Belgian sources, but they were also made by W.H. Davenport Firearms Co (1890's - ), Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works (early 1900's - ), J. Stevens Arms (before 1942), and Savage Arms.

If there is an oval with ELG* stamped on the barrel or action, it is from Belgium. If it is a 410 that's unlikely, and that would also eliminate Davenport as the maker.

If it says Armory Steel that suggests that it MIGHT be an Iver Johnson Champion.

Most of the Belgian imports stopped coming over when WWI started.

Add Crescent Firearms (1893-1930) to the list of manufacturers. If marked model 94, it's a Stevens up to 1948. 944 will be the same gun from Savage after 1948.

Answer

I have a King Nitro, but it is a 22 pump with an octagon barrel, made by the Central arms company. I have never researched it but have always been curious about it. I would be interested in further information if available.

Thanks,

Wayne

wknelson26@cox.net

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