Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this single-shot shotgun for a penny-start auction; this is the Sharpleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri., Nitro King!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Sharpleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri
Model: Nitro King(Trade Brand Name)
Caliber: 12 Gauge
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 32"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Front Bead
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wood Stock and Foregrip
Action: Single-Shot
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Sharpleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri, marketed the “Nitro King” as a dependable, working-class shotgun during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering sportsmen and farmers an affordable yet sturdy firearm sourced from various established gunmakers and branded under the Sharpleigh trade name. Typically produced for the hardware firm by Crescent Fire Arms and occasionally other contract manufacturers, the Nitro King was designed as a no-frills utility gun built to withstand the rigors of daily use, whether in the field, on the homestead, or behind the counter of a general store. These shotguns were commonly available as single-shot or double-barrel break-action models, chambered for popular gauges of the era—often 12, 16, or 20 gauge—and were marketed specifically as “nitro proofed,” meaning they were intended to safely handle modern smokeless powder loads rather than the black powder still widely used in earlier decades. The guns typically featured exposed hammers, simple mechanical firing systems, and sturdy steel barrels paired with plain walnut stocks that emphasized function over ornamentation but still reflected the era’s attention to fit and finish, with clean lines, tasteful checkering on some examples, and iron or steel hardware built for longevity.
Model: Nitro King(Trade Brand Name)
Caliber: 12 Gauge
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 32"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Front Bead
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wood Stock and Foregrip
Action: Single-Shot
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Sharpleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri, marketed the “Nitro King” as a dependable, working-class shotgun during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering sportsmen and farmers an affordable yet sturdy firearm sourced from various established gunmakers and branded under the Sharpleigh trade name. Typically produced for the hardware firm by Crescent Fire Arms and occasionally other contract manufacturers, the Nitro King was designed as a no-frills utility gun built to withstand the rigors of daily use, whether in the field, on the homestead, or behind the counter of a general store. These shotguns were commonly available as single-shot or double-barrel break-action models, chambered for popular gauges of the era—often 12, 16, or 20 gauge—and were marketed specifically as “nitro proofed,” meaning they were intended to safely handle modern smokeless powder loads rather than the black powder still widely used in earlier decades. The guns typically featured exposed hammers, simple mechanical firing systems, and sturdy steel barrels paired with plain walnut stocks that emphasized function over ornamentation but still reflected the era’s attention to fit and finish, with clean lines, tasteful checkering on some examples, and iron or steel hardware built for longevity.
Though inexpensive compared to higher-end sporting arms, the Nitro King earned a reputation as a reliable tool—exactly what a hardware store clientele needed—and many remain in working condition today thanks to their robust construction. Collectors now appreciate these shotguns not for elaborate craftsmanship but for the historical narrative they embody: a time when hardware stores sold everything from nails to farm implements to firearms, and when American gunmakers built honest, utilitarian guns intended to serve ordinary people for decades. The Nitro King stands as a tangible reminder of that era, representing a practical, straightforward shooting companion that quietly did its job across countless farms, fields, and front porches throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.




