Sometime between 1886 and 1916 For more info contact John Callahan 53 Old Quarry Rd Westfield Mass 01085 $15 per gun
Central Arms shotguns were made by several manufacturers, but that patent date says J Stevens Arms and Tool Co.
MOST of the single shot shotguns do not have really high values. The Stevens is a good gun- dependable, reliable, well made- but not a lot of collector interest. Depending on condition, a Stevens single may be worth between $50-$175. I keep a few of the singles around as loaner guns to new shooters- they are a very good shotgun for a "first shotgun".
If your gun says " J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co. " it is pre-1920 and post 1910 or maybe a few years earlier. Information to that degree of detail is hard to come by. If it says " J. Stevens Arms Co. " it is post 1920, after Savage purchased the factory. It is a very hearty, stout and reliable shotgun. It is a utility grade shotgun that is very well made. I am refinishing the furniture and exterior steel on mine. The action needed no attention but cleaning. Not bad for a 100 Year Old Shotgun.
Savage Arms and J Stevens made the J. C. Higgins sears robuck and company shotgun. If you look on on the right side of it should say Stevens model (whatever model # it has here) like mine says (Stevens model 311A)
Whats it worth
Most of all Stevens shot guns give the date on the top of the barrel , mine says it right where it breaks. April 12,1913.
Yes. I have one. It says Stevens right on the receiver.
I'm interested in the same info. I have a 12 guage that only says Long Tom and August 12, 1913. I don't see the "J Stevens" anywhere. Where do you find that? This was my Father's gun that he bought used around 1935. That's all I know about it.
Are you sure it says ARMORY and not ARMS?
This will be a Stevens shotgun made circa 1930-1948. It would bring $35 to $80 depending on condition.
Mine says made in Hungary on it.....
Diamond Arms was a trade name used by Shapleigh Hardware Co of St Louis from the late 1800s to about 1950. The guns were made by G. B. Crandall, Harrington & Richardson, Hopkins & Allen Arms, J. Stevens Arms Co, and probably a few others. A 410 single shot is most likely a Stevens product. If that statement about one piece barrel actually says "barrel and lug forged in one piece" it is a Stevens. If it says "barrel and lug forged in one" (exactly the same except no "piece") it is by Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works.