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Iver Johnson Champion

zink
I was given an Iver johnson Champion 12 Ga by my grandmother (93)yesterday. She said it was my great,great, grandfathers. can you tell me any thing about the gun. Serial Number 80613 B. It has no bluing left. There is no rust. The wood has no cracks ,splits or guouges. It is in good shape. Can you give me a average ballpark figure on worth or should I redo stock and have it reblued. I am not going to sell just keep it for my grandchild. Thanks for any info. Turkeyman
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5 comments

Date Votes
  • zink
    Does anyone have a listing on what barrel lengths were offered on the 28 gauge. I have two, one 26" and one 28". I just bought one with a barrel measured at 31 5\16" which I thought was most unusual
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  • rrfhunter
    I've got one almost exactly as you describe. The serial number is "BUHG" but no "EM" markings as you describe. I bought it as a total rust bucket for $20 at a gunshow. It would barely even open. It cleaned up fairly nicely and the case colors were decent. The barrel was pitted but so I painted it flat black. Makes a hell of a turkey killer with that tight choke! My daughter has dropped two nice toms with it [:D]

    ....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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  • rrfhunter
    On second thought does anyone know the dates of manufacture for that serial number "BUHG"??

    ....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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  • b.goforth
    zink & rrfhunter,
    iver johnson arms's and cycle works used sereral different serial number series on their champion single barrel shotguns and two of them used used letters. numbers only were used until the late 1920's to early 1930's, letters only until about 1941 and numbers with letters after world war II. the exact order the the letters only were used is still unknown. any champion single barrel with just letters in the serial number would have been manufactured between the very late 1920's and world war II.

    the finish on early champions was case hardened frame and browned barrel and later models have case hardened frames and blue barrel. to the best of my knowledge the only iver johnson shotgunsw with a factory blue frame (reciever) are their double barrels.

    the markings 'barrel and lug forged as one' was used on all barrels after 1910. so the 16 gauge markings would be from a different die.

    hope this will help. if i can ever gather enough information on the shotguns i will publish it to go along with my book on handguns.
    b.goforth
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  • zink
    b.goforth,

    I really appreciate the info! This makes sense, I have my grandfathers Champion that was his first gun and he bought it new before 1910. It has the raised matte rib with a serial # 18x00 and it has different barrel markings in 20 ga.
    Best of luck on your book and I'll reserve a copy if you will let me know of a print date.
    Thanks again,
    Lance
    10's RULE
    [:D]
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