My understanding is that any model or quality level could be ordered as a Featherwight. And I know that before Featherweight became an option on the catalogue pages, with “Featherweight” inscribed on the barrels, very lightweight special order guns could be ordered. They were Featherweights in all but name. I am aware of a Diamond Quality 12 gauge from the very end of the first serial number series, so production somewhere around 1890, that weighs in at around 5 3/4 pounds. I have compared the size of that gun’s action with a micrometer to my early 1900s 20 gauge Diamond #275 and the actions are virtually identical in size.
I’ve managed to pick up inscribed Featherweights in both 12 ga and 16 ga but neither are Diamonds.
I do recall having a conversation with Ken Georgi who has access to an extensive Daly database and him mentioning that of the hundreds of guns listed (I think it’s in the 500 gun range now but don’t quote me) inscribed Featherweights make up about 3 % of the total. I don’t recall what he said about Diamonds. I have my own database of close to 100 guns, gathered mostly from auction results and while I think it skews to higher value guns, my Diamond percentage is between 30% and 40%. So yeah, Featherweights are rare. ( My database Featherweights skew higher than Ken’s list as well. I take Ken’s list to be more representative of overall production)
Edit: That Regent Diamond got posted by Geoff while I was writing my post. Regent Diamonds first appeared in catalogues around 1905 so apparently you could still get very lightweight guns but have them not inscribed Featherweight.
Last edited by canvasback; 03/03/26 09:15 PM.
