Need help identifying strange shotgun.
I was hoping someone would be able to identify this shotgun. It was my late fathers that he purchased used in the 70s.
The only markings on the are Chancellor on the side with asterisks on either side of it, some markings between the trigger guard and stock (pictured below) and "Choke Bored" on the top of the barrel. There are not markings under the barrel when the fore grip is removed and nothing on the receiver whent he barrel is removed.
I am also trying to figure out if the barrel is damascus or not. I don't see any of the evidence of damascus like I do on my wall hangers. I want to shoot the shotgun but want to make sure it is safe to do so. Unfortunately any gunsmith around here willing to look at it is not knowledgeable in this area. I know the gun was last shot in the 80s and modern ammo was used but I know that doesn't automatically mean it would be safe. The barrel doesn't give any clues what it is made of as the only marking the "choke bored" on the top and no markings even with the gun disassembled. It seems almost like the barrel is not original as just looking at the gun it seems like it was frankensteined. Any insight into this anyone can give is appreciated, I'm not really concerned with value as I know it isn't much but more of just trying to figure out what it is.
The only markings on the are Chancellor on the side with asterisks on either side of it, some markings between the trigger guard and stock (pictured below) and "Choke Bored" on the top of the barrel. There are not markings under the barrel when the fore grip is removed and nothing on the receiver whent he barrel is removed.
I am also trying to figure out if the barrel is damascus or not. I don't see any of the evidence of damascus like I do on my wall hangers. I want to shoot the shotgun but want to make sure it is safe to do so. Unfortunately any gunsmith around here willing to look at it is not knowledgeable in this area. I know the gun was last shot in the 80s and modern ammo was used but I know that doesn't automatically mean it would be safe. The barrel doesn't give any clues what it is made of as the only marking the "choke bored" on the top and no markings even with the gun disassembled. It seems almost like the barrel is not original as just looking at the gun it seems like it was frankensteined. Any insight into this anyone can give is appreciated, I'm not really concerned with value as I know it isn't much but more of just trying to figure out what it is.
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The markings on inexpensive, "Store Brand", utility grade shotguns. Were varied. It seems that each local hardware store sold guns with their own store name, or marketing name dreamt up by it's owner.
It it doesn't have Belgian proof marks? Probably U.S. made in the early years of the 20th Century.
Don't shoot it till it's checked out by a competent gunsmith. Since the barrel been cut, there is no choke remaining. Make sure that the barrel is at least 18 1/4" long, to keep you out of jail. If you live in the U.S? Or Senator Feinstein will be kicking in your door at 5 AM, with her storm troopers.
Edit #1,
How did you measure the barrel, to get the 19" length?0 -
by the shape of the trigger guard and the pin locations I'd say it is an Iver Johnson 'Champion' made for some hardware co. remove the butt stock and compair the internals with a I.J. parts drawing. 0 -
is that barrell legal??? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by hillbille
is that barrell legal???
I'm wondering the same thing. It looks awfully short. If it's less than 18", he'd better find a nice, deep lake for it.0 -
It is a spin off of the IJ, and it's 100% illegal ........... 0 -
What you have is a turn of the century, Iver Johnson 'Champion' shotgun produced with a different model name as a store brand/house brand gun for some other business.
Here's an original IJ marked Champion:
Here's a Champion schematic/parts source that could be of assistance if you want to maintain your heirloom fully operational:
http://tinyurl.com/kggygov
EDIT: Based on receiver, stock and barrel comparisons, to me it's barrel/overall length appears to be legal. That extra long forend just causes the barrel to look stubby.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mrbruce
It is a spin off of the IJ, and it's 100% illegal ...........
Is it? How do you know that the cutoff barrel is 18" or more?0 -
Thanks for the information. Yes, it is legal. First thing I did when I got it was measured the barrel. It's actually just under the 19" mark on the barrel. The fore grip is longer and makes it look short, which was what prompted me to measure it in the first place.
Does anyone know if the barrel would be damascus? I'm still trying to find a gunsmith to look at it, but any in my area willing to look at it do not have a lot of expertise on these type of shotguns.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Daves92gt
Does anyone know if the barrel would be damascus? I'm still trying to find a gunsmith to look at it, but any in my area willing to look at it do not have a lot of expertise on these type of shotguns.
I've never seen an old turn-of-century utility grade single like yours with anything but plain steel barrels.
If it were either damascus or twist steel the welding pattern would be evident.
The extra long forend wood is almost certainly not original.0 -
Looks Identical to one I used to own. Originaly had a 36" barrel, but due to damage was cut to 24". Cylinder bore, handy as money in a candy store. 0
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