N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun - The Firearms Forum

Buffalochip · 02-14-2011, 03:52 PM

I bought this over the summer at a yard sale for $65.00. Did a little research and found it was probably made shortly after WW I. It is the N.R. Davis & Sons, Diana [model], Davis Warner Arms Corp., Norwich Conn. It was speckled with what turned out to be latex paint (which came right off), and had a mirror bore, so I snapped it up. It is actually in very good condition, given its age. Shows a lot of wear on the receiver from being toted around, but it is still very tight. Despite the poorly fitted forestock, these are supposed to be very well made utilitarian guns. I know they are somewhat hard to find, given their short production run, and I've found NO record of them making a .410. Any thoughts on value/rarity. I suspect I can get at least double what I paid for it.

Jim K · 02-14-2011, 08:23 PM

Your research is basically correct, but I really doubt you would get out of it much more than what you paid for it, if that. Shotguns, with a few exceptions, have little collector interest, and low price, utilitarian guns like that are near zero on the collectibility scale.

The barrel should be solid steel but the gun should be checked out by a gunsmith before firing. Note that it might be chambered for the old 2" shell, rather than the standard 2 1/2". (It can't be for the 3".) Have the chamber checked before shooting it.

Jim

fleetwood1976 · 02-14-2011, 09:24 PM

I like it for a vintage looking piece. I would have bought it at a yardsale for that, would rather pay $50.

Buffalochip · 02-14-2011, 09:45 PM

Thanks--more interested in rarity than value. It is perfectly safe to shoot (2.5") and although it may have little, if any, collector interest, it does have some intrinsic value--here on the east coast a gun in this condition will sell in the $100-$125 range all day long. Just curious as to how common a .410 is by this maker--I suspect there are very few.

lee_isdell@yahoo.com · 02-06-2012, 08:27 AM

I have inherited a Diana marked, Davis shotgun from my grandfather. As it was in a fire, it is unuseable...HOWEVER...for sentimental sakes, I'd like to replace the stocks and clean it up for the wall.

Woodworking is a hobby, BUT...I have no idea as to where to get "which" model stocks that might fit the gun most appropriately.

Any guidance as to where and what to replace the stocks?

thank you.

Lee

Buffalochip · 02-06-2012, 03:18 PM

Personally, I'd search Ebay for an old used stock--perhaps even the correct one.

But trying to find one that is properly inlet for the tang, triggerguard, etc. may be more trouble than it is worth. You could buy walnut blanks and inlet them yourself, BUT, then you've got new wood on a old gun...

02-14-2011, 03:52 PM	#1
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun I bought this over the summer at a yard sale for $65.00. Did a little research and found it was probably made shortly after WW I. It is the N.R. Davis & Sons, Diana [model], Davis Warner Arms Corp., Norwich Conn. It was speckled with what turned out to be latex paint (which came right off), and had a mirror bore, so I snapped it up. It is actually in very good condition, given its age. Shows a lot of wear on the receiver from being toted around, but it is still very tight. Despite the poorly fitted forestock, these are supposed to be very well made utilitarian guns. I know they are somewhat hard to find, given their short production run, and I've found NO record of them making a .410. Any thoughts on value/rarity. I suspect I can get at least double what I paid for it. Attached Images -->

02-14-2011, 08:23 PM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun Your research is basically correct, but I really doubt you would get out of it much more than what you paid for it, if that. Shotguns, with a few exceptions, have little collector interest, and low price, utilitarian guns like that are near zero on the collectibility scale. The barrel should be solid steel but the gun should be checked out by a gunsmith before firing. Note that it might be chambered for the old 2" shell, rather than the standard 2 1/2". (It can't be for the 3".) Have the chamber checked before shooting it. Jim

02-14-2011, 09:24 PM	#3
fleetwood1976 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Contributor Posts: 1,333	Re: N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun I like it for a vintage looking piece. I would have bought it at a yardsale for that, would rather pay $50.

02-14-2011, 09:45 PM	#4
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun Thanks--more interested in rarity than value. It is perfectly safe to shoot (2.5") and although it may have little, if any, collector interest, it does have some intrinsic value--here on the east coast a gun in this condition will sell in the $100-$125 range all day long. Just curious as to how common a .410 is by this maker--I suspect there are very few.

02-06-2012, 08:27 AM	#5
lee_isdell@yahoo.com Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1	Re: N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun I have inherited a Diana marked, Davis shotgun from my grandfather. As it was in a fire, it is unuseable...HOWEVER...for sentimental sakes, I'd like to replace the stocks and clean it up for the wall. Woodworking is a hobby, BUT...I have no idea as to where to get "which" model stocks that might fit the gun most appropriately. Any guidance as to where and what to replace the stocks? thank you. Lee

02-06-2012, 03:18 PM	#6
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: N.R. Davis & Sons .410 shotgun Personally, I'd search Ebay for an old used stock--perhaps even the correct one. But trying to find one that is properly inlet for the tang, triggerguard, etc. may be more trouble than it is worth. You could buy walnut blanks and inlet them yourself, BUT, then you've got new wood on a old gun...