Ivers Johnson 410 Info
I own a break barrel shotgun that has been handed down in the family. It appears to be pretty old and after cleaning it up a bit, I would like to get some info. Anybody with info would be appreciated. Here is the description:
On the top of the barrel it shows " -410 BORE-FULL CHOKE-BARREL AND LUG FORGED IN ONE-
On the left side of the receiver (I'm calling the receiver the metal portion under the break barrel)it says:
1st line: "Champion"
2nd line: "IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS"
3RD LINE: "FITCHBURG, MASS U.S.A."
To the left of "CHAMPION" and also to the left of "Fitchburg" it appears there may have been a serial number or something else stamped but if there was it is not legible due to pitting on the metal. I used a magnifying glass and different light angles with no good results. Another interesting marking I found was on the bottom of the stock where the trigger guard is inlaid into the stock. (The metal tongue that juts out behind the trigger guard) "CH TU" It may have been an owner's initials....I don't know.
Can anyone help? Where is the serial number supposed to be? Also I know there is a chemical I can use that might bring out the serial number...anyone have any ideas.
email me for pics....EMAIL
On the top of the barrel it shows " -410 BORE-FULL CHOKE-BARREL AND LUG FORGED IN ONE-
On the left side of the receiver (I'm calling the receiver the metal portion under the break barrel)it says:
1st line: "Champion"
2nd line: "IVER JOHNSON'S ARMS & CYCLE WORKS"
3RD LINE: "FITCHBURG, MASS U.S.A."
To the left of "CHAMPION" and also to the left of "Fitchburg" it appears there may have been a serial number or something else stamped but if there was it is not legible due to pitting on the metal. I used a magnifying glass and different light angles with no good results. Another interesting marking I found was on the bottom of the stock where the trigger guard is inlaid into the stock. (The metal tongue that juts out behind the trigger guard) "CH TU" It may have been an owner's initials....I don't know.
Can anyone help? Where is the serial number supposed to be? Also I know there is a chemical I can use that might bring out the serial number...anyone have any ideas.
email me for pics....EMAIL
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Not all long guns have had serial numbers. Not sure about yours, but they were not required until 1968 Gun Control Act. Have a safe full of Mossbergs- ONE has a serial number. There IS a technique to HELP recover a STAMPED (not engraved) serial number- involves polishing metal, heating it, and applying an acid. It is a lot harder to do right than when McGyver does it, would urge you not to try it. Hot acids can be dangerous, and it screws up finish on gun (rust city after you do that) 0 -
I've got an old IJ Champion .410 that I picked up for $40. a few years back. Not pretty, but a good shooter.
These were inexpensive field grade shotguns, as I recall from researching mine from approx 1920'ish.
Fairly common, little collector interest unless in VG to EX condition.
I got a good deal on mine, but IMO the value on most in well used, but shooting condition runs from around $75. to perhaps $100.
They are safe to fire w/modern smokeless powder shells.0 -
I have one just as you described and it shoots 2 1/2" shotshells only just a little FYI. Nice little shotguns to pack for forest grouse. 0 -
For you guys that do own one of these, where is the serial supposed to be? 0 -
The one on mine is on bottom receiver tang behind trigger guard. (Between guard and buttstock). 0 -
"The one on mine is on bottom receiver tang behind trigger guard. (Between guard and buttstock)."..........this is correct, onother poster informs that they use a letter code for the ser. # (example 'rffr'), that coresponds to the word 'finchburgx' (1234567890) 0 -
the letters behind the trigger guard are the serial number. there are at least four (and maybe five) different serial number series for the champion single barrel shot gun that was introduced in 1909. be aware though there were several champion models produced before 1909 but they are black powder models and are marked differently from the model introduced in 1909.
1909-to about 1921 numbers only (no more than 5 digits
1921-to about 1929 numbers and single letter code suffix
1929-to about 1939 numbers and two letters sufix
1939 to about 1969 letters only
after about 1969 numbers and maybe a single letter sufix
production stopped for good on the champion in 1978 and was very limited during 1969 to 1978 when there was no production at all for several years in a row during the 1970's.
CHAMPION MODEL 36
1909-1922
Single barrel; rebounding center mounted hammer; top lever operated break open design; gauges: 12, 16, and 20; barrel length: 28, 30, and 32 inches (features barrel and lug forged in one piece) bored full chock only; American black Walnut butt stock and fore-end; automatic extractors; weight 6_ pounds; overall length with 30 inch barrel 45 inches; case hardened receiver (nickel available as option), browned barrel; automatic ejectors extra cost option; .410 bore, 24 and 28 gauges offered in 1913; 24 gauge dropped 1928; all gauges except 12 dropped after 1941; name changed to Champion single Barrel in 1917.
CHAMPION SINGLE BARREL
1923-1978
This is the same gun as the earlier Model 36 champion except that the smaller gauges are now built on the same frame as the large gagues. See above picture for specifications. The exact year production stopped has not yet been determined. Some of these single barrel shotguns have been seen with Canadian marking, these were most likely shipped to Canada and then marked as there is no evidence that Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works ever had a manufacturing factory in Canada
VALUE: 100%=$250 60%=$95
Add 15% for 24, 28 gauges
bill0 -
mine has 5 digits. 6590x.
Bill can you give approx DOM?
Thanks0 -
b.goforth - Based on your post my gun was made between 39 and 69 with a serial number of "CH TU". Is there anyway to tell what year it was made?
Thanks!0 -
to all who have asked for an exact year of manufacture for their champion single barrel shotguns. there are no known factory serial number records for any iver johnson's arms & cycle works shotguns. using catalog illustrations i have been able to put together the era of manufacture of each of the serial number series i have encountered. sence the all letter serial numbers show up quite often i have started keep a list of them but the other series i have not been able to accuire enough of them to even began to start trying to build a year by year list of shotguns serial numbers.
when i first started researching iver johnson firearms i was able to obtain a copy of a factory shop foreman's notebook that listed serial number fo handguns. this notebook was kept between the years 1900 and 1941 by several different shop foremen. the only problem was in contained only handguns serial numbers. the shotgun serial number listing did not survive the paper drives of WWII or the moves the company made after 1975. sorry but for now we will just have to be content with an era of manufacture.
zoltmast;
my best guess on your 410 would be the early 1950's (1949-1955)
fatstrat;
my best guess on your shotgun would be 1921 to 1926.
bill0 -
Works for me. Thanks Bill. 0
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