Cellphonehugger
Member
My Grandson who is 10 spotted this gun at a open market.The serial number is 407. Can anyone tell him anything about it. We looked online to find alittle but not much this is his first gun.
Nitro special 1885
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Smokey Joe
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Welcome aboard!
Cell Phone Hugger--Glad to have you on THR!
We'll need a little more info to help you with your gun value question. Manufacturer? Model number? General condition? For what cartridge? "Nitro Special" doesn't sound like a model name, and certainly is not a manufacturer.
Best of all would be photos: Shot of the whole firearm, both sides, and close shots of any markings. The higher the quality of the photos, the more help they are.
Cell Phone Hugger--Glad to have you on THR!
We'll need a little more info to help you with your gun value question. Manufacturer? Model number? General condition? For what cartridge? "Nitro Special" doesn't sound like a model name, and certainly is not a manufacturer.
Best of all would be photos: Shot of the whole firearm, both sides, and close shots of any markings. The higher the quality of the photos, the more help they are.
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Cellphonehugger
Member
Ok it is a 12 ga and on the top of the barrel is reads choked borded pat applyed for laery co chicopee falls mas and the seral number is 407. I will try to up load pictures. Thanks so much.
If it is a single barrel, then yes it was made by Stevens Arms Co., Nitro Special was a Trade name. It would be a version of the Stevens Model 94. Well made, dependable shotgun, no manufacturing dates available but I would guess prior to WWII
Cellphonehugger
Member
What about the pat applyed for and the serial number, I looked it up and it reads to be made in 1885 but I'm not sure.
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Patent's can run up to 37 years after they are approved. Nitro is an old term for smokeless powder, so the name is a play on it being strong enough for smokeless powder. Your shotgun was not made in 1885 Add info: Unless the chamber length is marked on the shotgun, it would be a good ideal to measure the chamber length. Prior to the 1920's , many 12 gauge shotguns were chambered for 2 1/2, 2 5/8 cartridges. A 2 3/4 shell will chamber and fire in the older shorter chambers but will build up excessive and unwanted pressure. It is always better to err on the safe side.
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Cellphonehugger
Member
thanks so much.. I needed that he will be so happy to know!
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