looking for the manufacturer of a rifle by the name of Shapleighs king aitro?

Question

this is a 22 long rifle from Europe simi automatic

Answer 1

Your "King Nitro" brand 22 Semi-automatic rifle was manufactured/distributed right here in the U.S. and were also exported to the United Kingdom around 1900. These guns were mass produced and actually manufactured by several manufacturers under contract, with firearms companies including J. Stevens Arms Company and Marlin Firearms Company and Davenport Arms Company.. These firearms (Rifles & Shotguns) were exclusively distributed by the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri (Founded in 1868)..Hence the Shapleigh "King Nitro" brand on your rifle.

Since the Shapleigh Hardware Company is out of business for many years now, there are no existing records to research the history of your particular firearm. These firearms have no collectors value, and are basically untraceable (History wise). They were manufactured before serialization numbers were created and required by firearms manufacturers. Sorry but there is no way to establish a dollar value on this particular rifle.

Answer 2

The Shapleigh s King Nitro 22lr 5 round magazine I acquired is extremely rare as only one stamped Patent 2094577 others pending. There is Savage or Stevens model on barrel but the patent is the first of and later a total of four stamped patents of the Savage 7 Stevens 85, 22 rimfire. The Savage 6 and Stevens 87 are tub fed rifles.

The guns are identical except for brand names which there are multiple instances of both Savage and Stevens advertised on the same print ad page.

The quantity were huge for the tube fed versions but significantly less for magazine fed versions. Banged and well used today I have seen for $75 to $100. Normal wear ones $150 to $200. The one I acquired I would not sell for less than $350.

The Savage Stevens 22 is very accurate and nick named the "Click clat" gun from the sound of releasing the trigger after firing which cycles the next round. Holding the trigger back after firing keeps the bolt back and chamber opened.

Awesome little gun I wish my Savage 64 magazine would feed as well as this one.

Ed

Answer 3

It was manufactured by J. Stevens Arms Company (Savage Arms).

The "King Nitro" trade name was used on shotguns made by Davenport Fire Arms Co. for the Shapleigh Hardware Co. of St. Louis. Shapleigh has been in business since 1868 and are wholesalers only, not makers, so they could have bought rifles from just about anyone. Jim Perkins' wonderful book "American Boys Rifles 1890-1945" only includes a variation of the Stevens Visible Loader as being sold through Shapleigh. Most inexpensive guns were not serial numbered, as it was not until the Gun Control Act of 1968 that serial numbers were required to be put on all guns manufactured. Few bolt action .22s depend on any patented features, so lack of patent information is not unusual. Stevens and Marlin and perhaps other would have also been in the business of making guns under "trade names."

Answer 4

I've never heard of it and there is nothing in my Blue Book about a Shapleighs King Aitro rifle. It sounds like something from Europe. Maybe somebody like JD will see your question and know something about it.

Answer 5

Looks like River and JD are giving you all you ever wanted to know about your .22. Good information from guys who do and did their homework.