Diamond Arms Model 1905 12 Gauge Single-Shot, 30 in Barrel, Exposed Hammer, Choke Bored
This Diamond Arms Model 1905 is a U.S.-made, single-shot 12-gauge from the 1913–1920 era, marketed by Shapleigh Hardware Co. under the Diamond Arms Co. trade brand. It features a 30-inch steel barrel marked "Electro Steel Choke Bored Patented August 12, 1913" and a receiver stamped "Diamond Arms Co. ST.
LOUIS." The break-action design with exposed hammer and top-tang opening lever reflects a straightforward, durable field shotgun of its time.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Specific Condition Notes: There is widespread pitting and finish loss on the metal surfaces. Blemishes and scratches are present throughout. The bore is generally clean but shows scratches and blemishes. A section of wood is missing from the stock on both sides of the grip.
What’s Included
- Diamond Arms Model 1905 single-shot 12-gauge shotgun
Shapleigh Hardware Co. of St. Louis marketed this shotgun under the Diamond Arms Co. name, a well-known trade-brand of the period. The receiver is marked "Diamond Arms Co.
ST. LOUIS," aligning it with that provenance and timeframe.
The action is a single-shot break-action with an exposed hammer and a top-tang opening lever, offering simple, direct operation. Capacity is one round.
The 30-inch steel barrel carries the "Electro Steel Choke Bored Patented August 12, 1913" legend, reflecting the period’s barrel branding and choke-bored construction. A bead front sight provides a straightforward sighting reference.
Furniture consists of uncheckered wood with a semi-pistol-grip buttstock and a long wooden fore-end. Length of pull measures 14.0 inches, offering a traditional field fit.
Built in the United States during the 1913–1920 era, this Model 1905 represents an early 20th-century trade-brand single-shot built for utility and reliability.