What is the manufacture date of nitro hunter 12 gauge serial 51240?

Answer 1

The gun is a "Trade Brand Name" shotgun made some time between 1900 and 1940. A "Trade Brand Name" shotgun is one that was made by a major maker for and was sold by a wholesale sporting goods dealer, a retail chain store or an independent seller (your local hardware store) who chose the name to go on the gun. Guns with the name NITRO HUNTER were made by one of three makers, either Crescent Fire Arms Company of Norwich, CN (1892 to 1930+), the W. H. Davenport Arms Company, also of Norwich (1878 to 1910) or the Stevens Arms & Tool Company of Chicopee Falls,MA (1864 to date) for and was sold at wholesale by the Belknap Hardware Company of Louisville KY, a wholesale sporting dealer.